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In Memory Of
Thomas Eugene Van Velson
1942
2014
Thomas Eugene Van Velson
Dec 5, 1942 — Feb 28, 2014
Listen to Obituary
THOMAS EUGENE VAN VELSON
December 5, 1942 - February 28, 2014. Raised on a farm in the western Nebraska farm community of Brule, Tom learned the value of hard work and family, lessons he carried with him for life Tom graduated from high school in 1960, and he also graduated from the University of Nebraska, where he studied psychology. When drafted into the Army he was stationed at Fort Hood, Texas and used the computer and data processing skills he acquired in the registrar's office at the University of Nebraska. In the early 70's Tom began a 35 year career with Colorado State University in the Department of Information Systems. Tom lived in Rist Canyon, near Fort Collins over 40 years, where he tirelessly managed his forested property and raised llamas. His mountain property became one of the first enrolled in the Colorado Tree Farmer Association which recognized Tom's dedication to healthy forest ecosystems. He was always involved in the Rist Canyon/Fort Collins communities, with his family and friends, and with his work at the university. He was a charter member of the Rist Canyon Fire Department, sang in the Larimer Chorale for over 30 years, and loved to travel. He spent a year working and teaching in Australia as well as time he spend living and teaching in Cairo, Egypt, with further travels in Africa, South America, and Europe. He combined his interests of traveling, hiking and running. Tom's hiking accomplishments include Mt Kosciusko Australia, Mt. Kilimanjaro Tanzania and over thirty-five '14ers in Colorado. On one trip, Tom skied the French Alps and over the years he ran dozens of half marathons and 10k's. When traveling by sea, he preferred the simplicity of freighter ship excursions, to more popular travel options. Tom was loved by many colleagues, his mountain community and his family. He will be greatly missed by his surviving families including brothers, Rod in Windsor, Colorado and Rich and John Van Velson in Brule, Nebraska plus sisters-in-law, nieces, and nephews. No service is planned.
December 5, 1942 - February 28, 2014. Raised on a farm in the western Nebraska farm community of Brule, Tom learned the value of hard work and family, lessons he carried with him for life Tom graduated from high school in 1960, and he also graduated from the University of Nebraska, where he studied psychology. When drafted into the Army he was stationed at Fort Hood, Texas and used the computer and data processing skills he acquired in the registrar's office at the University of Nebraska. In the early 70's Tom began a 35 year career with Colorado State University in the Department of Information Systems. Tom lived in Rist Canyon, near Fort Collins over 40 years, where he tirelessly managed his forested property and raised llamas. His mountain property became one of the first enrolled in the Colorado Tree Farmer Association which recognized Tom's dedication to healthy forest ecosystems. He was always involved in the Rist Canyon/Fort Collins communities, with his family and friends, and with his work at the university. He was a charter member of the Rist Canyon Fire Department, sang in the Larimer Chorale for over 30 years, and loved to travel. He spent a year working and teaching in Australia as well as time he spend living and teaching in Cairo, Egypt, with further travels in Africa, South America, and Europe. He combined his interests of traveling, hiking and running. Tom's hiking accomplishments include Mt Kosciusko Australia, Mt. Kilimanjaro Tanzania and over thirty-five '14ers in Colorado. On one trip, Tom skied the French Alps and over the years he ran dozens of half marathons and 10k's. When traveling by sea, he preferred the simplicity of freighter ship excursions, to more popular travel options. Tom was loved by many colleagues, his mountain community and his family. He will be greatly missed by his surviving families including brothers, Rod in Windsor, Colorado and Rich and John Van Velson in Brule, Nebraska plus sisters-in-law, nieces, and nephews. No service is planned.
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