David Woodring Armagast

David (Dave) W. Armagast, 65, passed away on April 4, 2016, at his home in Lakewood, Colorado. Born on August 11, 1950 and raised in Alamosa, Colorado, he graduated from Alamosa High School in 1968. David then studied chemical/civil engineering at the University of Colorado in Boulder from 1968-1971. He served as the Property Manager in the Real Estate Acquisition and Management Department of the City of Lakewood for 25 years, from 1974-1999. After retirement from the City of Lakewood, David worked as a private consultant until 2001. David married Susan (Susie) Marie Schuman, a horse breeder/trainer, on May 9, 1975, and they were together until her death from ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) in 2005. David and Susie bred, raised and trained American Saddlebred horses. They spent many happy times together with their horses at the Gloraloma Ranch near Denver. David had a wide range of other interests and hobbies, including raising tropical fish (he was co-founder of the Armagast/Bunch Fish Club in Alamosa), archaeology, trains, astronomy, photography, coin collecting, hiking, camping and reading. He also enjoyed genealogical research and all types of history – especially the Civil War and researching the history of the Woodring family. David was a kind and gentle person. Although he endured many physical constraints and chronic pain in recent years, he managed to keep a positive outlook and his trademark good sense of humor. David is survived by two sisters, Marilyn A. Martorano (Sal) of Longmont, Colorado, and Susan A. Moison (Peter) of Morrison, Colorado; five nieces, Megan and Andrea Martorano, Cassie and Miranda Moison, and Anna Costello (Shiel); and a great niece and nephew, Grace and Charlie Costello. He also is survived by his loving cat, Pretty Belle, who has been happily adopted into the Moison family. In addition to his wife, Dave was preceded in death by his parents, Robert (Bob) Milton Armagast and Julia (Judy) Woodring Armagast. Cremation has been entrusted to Horan & McConaty, Lakewood, Colorado, and a private family/friends celebration of David's life is planned for later this year. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions in David's name be made to: the Friends of the Dunes, Inc., Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, 11500 State Highway 150, Mosca, CO 81146; Foothills Animal Shelter, 580 McIntyre Street, Golden, CO 80401; the Old Spanish Trail Association, Mr. John Hiscock, P.O. Box 324, Kanab, Utah 84741; The ALS Association, Gift Processing Center, P.O. Box 6051, Albert Lea, Minnesota, 56007; the Colorado Railroad Museum, 17155 W. 44th Avenue, Golden, CO 80403, or a charity of your choice.