Richard Dean Daetwiler

Rev. Dr. Richard D. Daetwiler was born July 25, 1931 and died October 29, 2024. He grew up in rural Herington, Kansas. He was preceded in death by his wife Patricia Ann, and his son, Kenneth E. Also preceding him in death were his parents, Alvin A. and Leah G. Daetwiler, five siblings, Geraldine R. Hodson, Alvin L. Daetwiler, Anita L. David, Patricia L. Sager and Jacqueline J. Rood. His first wife, Sarah A. Hover-Newton is also deceased. 

He is survived by his daughters, Jeri A. Ballast and Diana C. Ballast and five grandchildren, Ryan, Chaundra, Randon, Jacob and Samantha Ballast and eight great-grandchildren. 

Family was at the heart and center of his life. He was married to Patricia on February 7, 1970. She was the love of his life and the marriage lasted until her death on September 7, 2003. He couldn’t have loved his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren more. 

With the exception of a Masters (ABT) from Kansas State University in History and Philosophy, his education was in ministry and theology. His degrees were: B.A. in Ministry, Manhattan Christian College; B.D. (M.Div) in ministry, Phillips Theologica Seminary; and Th.D. in Theology, Illif School of Theology. 

He served as a military chaplain in the U.S. Army from January 1957 through July 1960. First stationed at Fort Riley, Kansas, he was the Trains Chaplain for the fabled 1st Infantry Division. At Fort Riley he also served briefly with a M.A.S.H unit. A great part of his service was spent overseas stationed with the 3rd Armored Division at Budingen, Germany. As a ministerial student he served churches in Kansas and Oklahoma. In 1963 he moved to Aurora, Colorado. 

Beginning in 1963 he served with Social Services in Adams and Arapahoe counties with specialized caseloads including the elderly, physically disabled, mentally ill, developmentally disabled, children and youth, alcohol and drug addicted, and supervised Family Services. He also worked part time with the Health Department in the field of addictions. In 1970 he joined the Denver Alcohol Safety Action Project, the federal program that was the precursor of the state’s programs dealing with driving under the influence of alcohol and other drugs. He was the Judicial and Treatment Coordinator for the project which included supervising a clinic of psychologists and case workers making recommendations to the court regarding clients picked up for driving under the influence and referring clients into treatment. He finished his work with DASAP as the Acting Director. In 1974 he resigned from DASAP and became the Coordinator and Planner for Alcohol, Drugs, and Mental Health programs for Region III with Denver Regional Council of Governments. In 1975 he founded the Colorado chapter of ALMACA, known now as EAPA. In 1980 the chapter made him President Emeritus of the organization and named their annual service award, the Daetwiler Service Award. 

In 1977 Dr. Daetwiler became a Professor of Drug/Alcohol within the Human Service Department of Metropolitan State University. He wrote and taught a number of courses and coordinated with the state to provide a gateway for students to be certified as drug/alcohol counselors upon their graduation. In addition to teaching, he spent many years as the Director of the Center for Addictive Studies. At the University he received Excellence in Teaching awards from the Golden Key Honor Society and the Alumni Association. His department gave him a Humanitarian Award. He received the University’s Distinguished Service Award and later was named Professor of Drug/Alcohol Emeritus. Dr. Daetwiler contended that his success at the college was due to the respect he had for his students. While at Metro State, Dr. Daetwiler was active in the community, sitting on numerous boards, conducted workshops, in-services, lectureships and state and national conference presentations. He was often called upon as a speaker. He retired in 1994.

Following retirement, he continued to be active in the community and did extensive consulting. He volunteered for fourteen years with the Denver Hospice. 

A visitation will be held Monday, November 11th from 6-8 p.m. at Horan & McConaty Funeral Home, 11150 Dartmouth Ave, Aurora. A graveside service will be held Tuesday, November 12th at 1 p.m. at Eastlawn Cemetery, 19600 E. Smith Road, Aurora. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Richard’s memory to a charity of your choice.