Bernard "Bernie" Joseph Tholen

August 14, 1957 - June 15, 2016

Bernard “Bernie” Tholen was born August 14, 1957 in Leadville, Colorado, the son of Harold and Bernadette Tholen. He was raised in Telluride, Colorado and was a graduate of the high school class of 1975. An accomplished hiker, Bernie was a natural athlete, excelling in skiing. His appreciation of the Colorado outdoors was unmatched. Most recently he played chess as a hobby. Bernie will be remembered fondly as a gregarious and charming individual who was an animal lover, and a friend to all he met. He shared his gifts of generosity and kindness. He held a variety of positions in the computer world in his early life and made his residence in Fort Collins, Colorado for a number of years. Bernie especially enjoyed researching his Scandinavian heritage and reading about pioneers in the sciences and math. His brother, Harold James Tholen lives in Houston, Texas, and his sister, Sarah Marie Tholen, lives in Littleton, Colorado. A dear lifetime friend, Melanie Mitchell, survives him. There will be a Celebration of Life in Bernie's beloved Telluride on August 14, 2016.