Alvin Pettine

Alvin M. Pettine, 78, peacefully passed away in his sleep Friday evening, Dec. 9, 2005. He was born Jan. 30, 1927, in Las Vegas, N.M., to Elmer and Dolores Pettine. In 1945 immediately upon his high school graduation he was inducted into the Air Force. He rose to the rank of staff sergeant while serving extensively in the Philippines. During his service he was received with a senatorial appointment to West Point. Following his discharge from the Air Force, Al continued his education at the University of New Mexico where he received B.S. and M.S. degrees. While at the university, he met and fell in love with Helen L. Jenkins. They were married Aug. 1, 1953, in Albuquerque. Al finished his Ph.D. in education at the University of Colorado. He was hired by the Boulder County School District as the district athletic director. Fortunes brought Al to Fort Collins as a professor at Colorado State University in 1965, a career that included a stint as the chair of the physical education department. He retired in 1986. Even in retirement he worked with the athletes he loved, volunteering for 37 years with the CSU track team. Al was a tireless worker for his community, volunteering countless hours throughout his lifetime. He was the founder and first president of the Poudre Golden K Kiwanis Club. He was also the first president of the Colorado Athletic Directors Association. He previously served on the Pastoral Council of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church. Athletics were a constant in Al's life; he loved them all, especially golf. Throughout his life there was nothing he enjoyed more than playing golf with his family and friends. Another of his great joys was his yearly trip to Alaska to fish with his son, Chris. He loved fishing and hunting as a way to enjoy the beautiful outdoors with the people he loved the most. He and Helen also traveled extensively and enjoyed all the new friends they invariably made. He is survived by his wife, Helen; brother, Dr. Eric Ann Pettine; sister, Dolly Bill Loth as well as sons, Donald Patricia Pettine, Dr. Kenneth Paisley Pettine, Christopher Patty Pettine and Gregory Francesca Pettine; 10 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Al had no fear of death and expressed frequent appreciation for his cherished wife and family and wonderful, fulfilling life. He was always up for an adventure and looked at death as the ultimate adventure. In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to the Poudre Golden K Kiwanis Club. A celebration of life will be at 7 p.m. Thursday at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, 5450 S. Lemay Ave. Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Friday at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish. Fr. Lawrence P. Christensen, C.M., will officiate.