Richard S. Molnar

Richard (Dick) Stephen Molnar, 68, of Denver and Westcliffe, CO passed away on April 9, 2008 after a long and courageous battle with lung cancer. Beloved husband, father and friend, he will be missed by all who knew him. Dick was born November 18, 1939 in Brooklyn, NY to parents Ethel and Richard Molnar. Dick was survived by his loving wife of 19 years, Vicki L. Boesel; his son, Richard J. Molnar of Detroit, MI; and his brother, Patrick B. Molnar (Joanne) of Valley Cottage, NY. He will be missed by a large extended family, many friends, and his faithful dog, Jake. Dick had a successful 35-year career in the municipal bond industry. After graduating from the LaSalle Academy in 1957, Dick immediately went to work for First National City Bank of New York in the Municipal Bond Department. He later joined Paine Webber, and while pursing his early financial career, Dick took night classes and graduated from St. John's University. He spent 25 years as a partner with Prescott Ball and Turbin in Cleveland, OH. After moving to Denver, Dick worked at Kemper before retiring in 1993. While still in Cleveland, Dick met Vicki in 1985, and after a long-distance romance they were married in 1989. Dick's love for Vicki extended to Colorado and he moved to Denver in 1991. They purchased land in Westcliffe in 1996 and their home there was completed with an official ""toast"" by many friends on May 30, 2000. Dick immediately became involved in the Westcliffe community and quickly established strong friendships. He earned a realtor's license in 1999 and worked part time for Goebel and later Watson Land Company. He always enjoyed showing clients the beautiful properties the Westcliffe area had to offer. Dick served on the homeowner's associations in Denver and Westcliffe, and sold advertising in the Bull Domingo homeowner's association newsletter, forming connections with many of the Westcliffe businesses. He and Vicki were members of the Community United Methodist Church of Westcliffe. In addition, Dick was a strong supporter of the San Isabel Land Protection Trust. The most important things in life to Dick were family, friends, and helping others. He was a good sport when teased, always positive and cheerful with a contagious smile, and he laughed easily, even while battling cancer. One of Dick's greatest joys was spending time with Vicki and the 4-legged ""kids"" (Jake and the cats) at their mountain home in Westcliffe. There was rarely a song from the 1950's that Dick could not identify by title, performer, and date recorded. With minimal prompting, he was eager to sing many of those songs during numerous memorable gatherings with loved ones. To many of us he was the ""Duke of Earl"". Dick had many interests including long bike rides (he often rode in the annual MS 150 and the Courage Classic), hiking, traveling, skiing, cheering (and occasionally cursing) the local sports teams, and spending quality time with friends and family. Dick easily made friends wherever he went, and he and Vicki also loved to entertain (they were a great cooking team). Dick was truly a classy host and always made his many friends--old and new--feel comfortable and welcome. Casual visits many times turned into late-night parties that produced hilarious stories still shared by family and friends today. Gatherings were not complete until Dick arrived and lit up the room with his warm and sincere presence and his great sense of humor. Dick will be greatly missed but never forgotten. His kind and generous spirit will always be with us until we meet again. Memorial donations may be made to the San Isabel Land Protection Trust, P.O. Box 124, Westcliffe, CO 81252, or the Community United Methodist Church, 204 S. 6th, Westcliffe, CO 81252. We would appreciate any memories to be shared at the service.