Charles F. Dwyer

Charles F. Dwyer (Chuck), 98, of Lakewood, CO, passed away January 9, 2020. He is survived by his daughters Valerie Marrs (Barry), Janet Cherne (Kent) and Julie Morris (Joe), grandson Justin Marrs (Jacqueline), 3 great-granddaughters, Avery, Quincy and Camber, and granddaughter Breanne Ness (Ryan). He was preceded in death by his wife Lois, brother William F. Dwyer and sister Barbara Jordan, and parents Charles F. and Marie Dwyer.

Chuck was born in Denver, CO May 17, 1921. He attended Wheat Ridge High School and the University of Colorado at Boulder where he earned a degree in Civil Engineering. He enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve in December, 1942, achieved the rank of Lieutenant, and served in the Amphibious Forces in both the European and Pacific Theatres in World War II. He was honorably discharged from the Navy to inactive duty in 1946.

Chuck married Lois Sturgeon on June 19, 1948, and settled in Lakewood, CO. He was a Registered Professional Engineer and passenger ropeway specialist from 1946 to 1987, working in the ski industry and then for for the U.S. Forest Service, focusing primarily on ski lifts and gondolas but other passenger ropeways were also under his watch.

He served as technical advisor to The Colorado Passenger Tramway Safety Board, and was a member of the American National Standards ANSI B77.1 Committee which prepared safety requirements for passenger ropeways. He founded several organizations in the ropeway industry including OITAF-NACS, the North American Continental Sections of the International Organization for Transport by Rope.

Chuck was a devoted family man. He had many lifetime hobbies including skiing, hiking, bicycling, square dancing and motorcycling, which he took up after his retirement in 1987! He was also a founder and the first president of the Model A Club of Colorado.

Private memorial service and inurnment will be at Fort Logan National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:

The Colorado School of Mines Foundation
Check memo line: In Memory of Charles Dwyer-Library
Address: P.O. Box 4005
Golden, CO 80402-4005

Please share memories of Chuck and condolences with his family below.