Richard L. Gero

It is with both celebration and deep sorrow we announce that our beloved Richard "Rich" Lee Gero Sr, age 91, left this world on August 26, 2025, while held by his treasured daughter Julie, his granddaughters Sabrina and Shelby. He was also surrounded by his great grandson Evren, his best friend Cheri and dear former wife Barbara. Rich faced a long battle with Parkinson's Disease, which was accompanied by bouts of pain and loss of mobility often leading to discouragement. Despite this fact, Rich continued to exemplify grace, courage and his indomitable wit. Rich was born in North Denver in a small house on Vrain Street that was built by his grandfather. He was the youngest of five siblings. He attended North High School through the 11th grade, at which time he followed in his older brother’s footsteps joining the Marine Corps during the Korean Conflict. During his time at Camp Lejeune, he was exposed to contaminated water that was later found to be the cause of his Parkinson’s disease. He was then sent to Quantico where he had the honor to caddy golf for President Dwight D. Eisenhower. Subsequently, he was sent to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, where he completed his service. Following his commitment to the military, he began a career in advertising sales and worked for the Rocky Mountain News (RMN) in Denver, CO and the Golden Daily Transcript (GDT) in Golden, CO. This led to a business opportunity and partnership in the Summit Sentinel in Dillon, CO in 1970. Rich met his wife Barbara, who also worked for the RMN, in 1964 and they married in 1966. Together they decided to venture into something new and risky, moving to Florida and going into the used furniture business with Barbara's dad. They returned to Colorado in 30 days. Shortly after, they located to Ft. Collins and started a community shopper, selling advertising, typesetting, ad layout, printing and distribution. During this time their first child, Richard Jr, was born in 1968. The shopper was short-lived, and they moved to Golden. Here they went back to work at GDT. Two years later they relocated to Dillon where they would have their second child Robert in 1971. The loss of Robert to SIDS led to a move back to Golden. Rich and Barbara then started their own printing company in Idaho Springs, CO. Their third child Julie was born in 1973. Unable to keep the marriage going, Rich and Barbara divorced in 1975. After the breakup of the marriage, Rich became the sole caregiver for the children. Due to the challenges of being a single parent, Rich decided to close the printing company and return to sales. Despite the end of their marriage, Rich and Barbara maintained a loving and gracious friendship. In fact, it was Barbara who introduced Rich to the Mile Hi Church of Religious Science in Lakewood, CO. This is where he found solace, meaning and purpose for his life as a single parent. Growing spiritually became his passion, and he became a licensed practitioner within the church. Rich studied diligently and was actively involved in this movement for more than 40 years. This led to his decision to remain sober and to become a vegetarian. Prior to retirement, he worked with the American Red Cross. These endeavors allowed him to continue to show compassion for humanity through his work which included such activities as emergency rescue work in Puerto Rico. He would also generously share his experience and wisdom through work with underserved populations seeking employment and occupational training via the Mesa County Workforce Center. Rich enjoyed life to the fullest through family gatherings to celebrate special occasions and holidays. He was well known for his witty humor and often left the whole group doubled over in laughter. He was a gifted writer of poetry and journaling, and he loved to travel--taking every possible chance to explore through road trips and adventures abroad. He was a diehard fan of NASCAR, the Rockies and the Broncos. He shared this passion with his son Rich Jr., who tragically passed away a few months prior to Rich. His love for relationships, humanity, the underserved, animals, trees, sunsets and – most of all the Moon, were things that he celebrated daily. This love was expressed fully with every person he interacted with, but mostly with his children and grandchildren. Although Rich was not a wealthy man, he lived a wealthy life. Always giving more than he had--teaching his family how to live generously in every interaction. This was his legacy: A Generous Spirit and a Kind Heart. As described in the Buddhist tradition, Rich was a bodhisattva--one who postpones his own enlightenment to help others evolve. The ‘Rich’ness of his life is now inherited by those he leaves behind--his beloved daughter, Julie Marie LeClaire, his treasured Granddaughter Sabrina Lousie Drake, and his precious Granddaughter Shelby Marie Deutsch. He wanted nothing more than for these beautiful humans to become the full expression of their Divine selves and to “change the world.” He is survived by Julie Marie LeClaire of Fort Collins, CO; Sabrina Louise Drake, Zachary William Saba and Evren Derek Drake of Edmonds, WA; Shelby Marie Deutsch of Chicago, IL; Kathy Jean Wattenburg (Hope) of LaMirada, CA; Vickie Wyatt of Phoenix, AZ; Becky Roland Robertson of Meridian, ID and Gilbert “Butch” Carroll of St. Francis, KS. He is preceded in death by his sons Robert Andrew Gero and Richard Lee Gero Jr. Rich's Celebration of Life will be held on March 14, 2026--Location to be announced. In Lieu of flowers, please consider adding ‘Rich’ness to the world in these ways: • Offer your waitstaff a tip beyond what they would expect. • Greet your neighbor warmly and perhaps share a few chocolates. • Gift a young family a warm smile. • Invite someone you love to enjoy a hot cup of Chai together. • Recognize an “old geezer” (as Rich would say)--offer them a nod or a word, acknowledging their presence and wisdom. • Listen intently to jazz being played at a corner pub • Say “I love you” to those who matter and always give a warm embrace. • Point out the “sneaky” moon as she greets the night sky • Greet the morning sun as she graces the planet with her light. “Dad, may these words and acts honor you in a way that only you can know….may you travel over the double rainbow with renewed speed and agility….may you be seen and felt in every small interaction with the Divine that I experience from here until we meet again. I love you more than all the Universe.” Your Juliebabe