Edward Applehans

Edward Applehans of Highlands Ranch, CO passed away peacefully on August 5, 2022 at the age of 81.  Born in Sterling, CO to Ferdinand and Floy Applehans, the German immigrants had a very modest start to their American dream.  With 6 kids (sister Floy & brothers Joe, Dean, Dave and Bob ) living in a 2 bedroom place with no running water or bathroom, times were very tight.   The family would later move to Denver where Ed attended Mapleton High School.  He was a standout athlete playing football and wrestling as a heavyweight, affectionately earning his nickname, Big Ed.   He would graduate in 1959 as class valedictorian.  He would meet Dorothy Green through his sister Floy.   They fell in love and started a family,  having two children, Thomas and Brenda.    Ed worked very hard in these early years with a full-time job at Sunstrand,  while carrying a full load at CU Denver finishing his engineering degree.  He would go on to land his dream job as an engineer at Gates Rubber Company.  In his 40 years of service with Gates,  he traveled the world,   rose to a position of leadership managing teams of mechanical engineers and had the honor of earning 3 patents and more than a dozen registered trade secrets along the way -  accomplishments achieved by only the brightest in the field.   At home, he was a devoted husband, just falling weeks short of their 60th anniversary.   He loved his “Dotty.”    Dot would also go on to work at Gates.  They rode (and often biked) to work together for more than 20 years.  They loved traveling together and had so many good times.   But their real passion was raising their kids and grandchildren.   Tom and wife Sharen’s two girls, Randi and Jesse, and Brenda and husband Joe’s two boys,  Adam and Ian, brought immense pride and joy to Ed.   As kids they just loved their stayovers at Grandma and Grandpa’s.   As adults, they all loved his funny stories and worldly knowledge.   He made a profound impact on all of their lives.  Ed was a lifelong devout Christian.  He is now with his lord savior.

Big Ed,  we will all miss you!!!