Roger Kent Sugden

Kent "Pipes" Sugden
Roger Kent Sugden, born in Lincoln, Nebraska on July 2, 1949 to Virgil and Roberta "Pittman" Sugden passes away early Sunday morning, June 26 at the age of 61. Kent had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer on Dec. 3, 2010. Kent grew up in Douglas, Neb., graduated from Douglas High School in 1967, and moved to Colorado and lived in Left Hand Canyon outside of Boulder where he sowed some wild oats until 1976. That done, he then returned to Nebraska and farmed the family farm for the next 15 years. Kent met his wife Pam while visiting his cousin, Dennis Pittman here in Fort Collins. Kent was raising his son Joe, who was due to graduate from high school a year and a half down the road, so after thousands of miles of visits, and Joe graduated and off to the military, Kent again returned to Colorado where he and Pam were married. Kent started his own business doing remodeling and general construction work. He was a skilled craftsman and many are enjoying the fruits of his labor all over Fort Collins and the surrounding area. Kent loved people and never knew a stranger. He had an open mind and an open heart. He had always been an avid outdoorsman, and enjoyed hunting, fishing and camping. He loved his new life in Colorado and being a natural athlete he embraced many new activities: such as running, biking, kayaking, hiking, skiing and snowboarding. Kent loved to play, and he and his wife and usually an entourage or friends traveled extensively. He was an avid cyclist and a natural leader, and organized many fun outings for friends, including a yearly week long bike ride Rock the Ridges and a yearly cross country ski weekend. Everyone looked up to Kent because he always had all the answers, even if he sometimes made them up. He loved to cook, and everyone enjoyed his wonderful meals and his companionship. He was an incredibly nurturing, supportive, loving and giving person who only saw the good in everyone. Within the last couple of years, Kent discovered two more activities he fell in love with: sailing and working with disabled skiers through the Children's Hospital and the National Sports Center for the Disabled in Winter Park. Like everything else he undertook, he became accomplished at both and looked forward to more sailing trips to the BVI and becoming a certified ski instructor. He gave the phrase "Live Life to the Fullest" a new meaning. He had many loves, but nothing came before his family and friends and those that fall in those categories also know the true definition of friendship because of Kent. He gave 150% in everything he did whether it was biking, boarding, building, cooking, fixing things, looking after everyone. Kent dealt with his cancer in true Kent fashion. It never occurred to him that he couldn't beat it. He continued to live his life, and was making plans for the future until the very end. His strength was an amazing thing to witness. Kent is survived by his loving wife, Pam Sugden; his son, Walter Joe Sugden; his mother, Roberta Sugden, his sister, Billie K Lefholtz and brother in law, Rod Aden; his nephew, Curt Lefholtz; dear friends, Shawn and Tressa Evans; and his grandsons, Aiden and Avery Evans; many cousins and countless friends. A celebration of life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, July 1, 2011 at Timberline Church, 2908 S. Timberline Rd. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Denver Children's Hospital or the National Sports Center for the Disabled, Winter Park, CO in care of Bohlender Funeral Chapel, 121 W. Olive, Fort Collins, CO 80524.