Sandra Hau

Sandra Nora Kobelt Hau, age 49 of Fort Collins, CO passed peacefully on July 4th, at home, surrounded by her family, after a courageous fight with adrenal cancer. A memorial service will be held on July 12th, at two o’clock, at the Drake Centre, 802 West Drake Road, in Fort Collins, CO. Born on February 17, 1960 in Scarsdale, New York, Sandy was the third of four children of Werner and Nora Kobelt. As a child, her profound love for animals quickly translated into a passion for horses. An accomplished equestrian jumper, Sandy thrived in the horse world, a natural place for her to share her boundless supply of love and compassion. Graduating from Scarsdale High School in 1978, she followed her interest in the animal kingdom to Colorado State University in Fort Collins. There, she excelled in the esteemed pre-veterinary medicine program, pursuing a large animal veterinary medical career. Ultimately, however, her calling was to be found in motherhood. She married Craig Hau on May 29, 1982 in Larchmont, NY, and together they built a family of five children. She was a naturally gifted mother and homemaker, the paragon of love, kindness, dedication, and devotion to her children. Raising three boys and two girls all within six years of each other was a Herculean task that could not have been bestowed on a more gracious and welcoming recipient. As her children grew up in the Fort Collins community, Sandy emerged as one of the leading supporters of youth sports—high school basketball, field hockey, soccer, and softball, and, in particular, the youth hockey programs. Sandy was recently recognized and celebrated at the Budweiser Center for her ongoing commitment and contributions to youth hockey in Colorado. She proudly dropped the ceremonial first puck in the presence of nearly 5,000 adoring fans and family, including the boys, who were representing the CSU hockey team. Sandy’s volunteerism did not stop at the ice arena. Her elaborate themes for high school prom, decorations for sporting events, and her endless hours of fundraising made her an integral part of the Fort Collins community. She was always the first one to raise her hand when a job needed to be done. Her example of how to be a true citizen has been an inspiration to all of us. Sandy was not only a spectator of sports, but an avid participant. She loved skiing the mountains of Colorado, golfing the city courses, and competing in her weekly tennis group. Sandy’s love of children and animals also extended into nature-- in her gardens, the mountains, and the oceans. Her home is well known and admired for her extensive gardens, the inviting waterfalls teeming with birds-- a neighborhood sanctuary where friends and family gathered for meals, often times outnumbered by family dogs. One of Sandy’s very favorite places was on the Atlantic Ocean and the timeless beaches of Cape Cod. Her home is filled with paintings of rustic lighthouses, flocks of sea gulls chasing fishing trawlers, and harbor seals bobbing effortlessly in the ocean swells. Sandy faced her recent challenges with courage, pride, dignity, and a stoic perseverance that is rare. Specifically, she traveled to India to help impoverished children with her Aunt Hanny, as well as hiked Long’s Peak with her son AJ, all while remaining fiercely determined to provide a loving and welcoming home to her children. Her strength and grace under adversity will remain with all who loved her. Sandy is survived by her five children, Chris, Heather, A.J., Brad, and Brittany, all of Fort Collins; her mother and father, Werner and Nora Kobelt of White Plains, NY; her brother Arnold Kobelt (and family) of Rye, NY; her sister Brenda Rice (and family) of Winchester, MA; and her brother Peter Kobelt (and family) of Whitefish, MT. She is also survived by 13 adoring nieces and nephews, as well as 6 great nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Sandra Kobelt Hau Memorial Foundation. The foundation will be committed to enhancing the lives of others in the spirit of Sandy’s passion for youth sports on both the local and state levels, as well as her love of the arts. (The Sandra Kobelt Hau Memorial Foundation, c/o Brownstein Hyatt Farber Sehreck LLC, Attn: Timothy J. Gilmore, 410 17th St., Ste 2200, Denver, CO 80202).

Sandra Hau

February 17, 1960 - July 4, 2009