Richard ""Dick"" True

Richard Earl ‘Dick’ True was born in St. Paul, MN on January 17, 1929. He spent his childhood in Minneapolis, MN with father Charles, mother Elsie and brother Chuck. Dick played a lot of ice hockey as a kid, and loved returning home after practice or a game to a snack of onion sandwiches.

During high school, he developed an interest in broadcasting while working at local radio station, KSTP. He decided broadcasting was a career he would like to pursue, but that was interrupted when he was inducted into the Army in 1950. He served for two years in the 216th Chemical Corp. and was present at the atomic test blasts at the Yucca Flat Nevada nuclear test region.

While stationed in Denver, CO, Dick met Beverlee Roberts, whom he married in 1952. Soon after, the couple moved to Beverlee’s hometown, Albuquerque, NM, where they started a family with the birth of Lorree Ann in November 1953.

In Albuquerque, Dick resumed his career in broadcasting, working as a director at local television station KOAT. In 1956, they relocated to Denver, where he was hired as director/production manager at the local NBC affiliate, KOA. During his years at KOA, Dick directed many live programs including remote broadcasts from Elitch Gardens, and a variety of musical programs. His biggest project came in 1959 when the studio moved to its new building at 1044 Lincoln. Dick created the one and a half hour Grand Opening Show which included a segment with Bob Hope, a live concert by the Denver Symphony Orchestra, and a taped tour of the new building (https://youtu.be/hGGD67xmQtw).

Dick and Beverlee welcomed the birth of their second daughter, Jana Lee, in January 1957.

He left KOA in 1962 to join advertising agency Fox and Chenoweth, which later became Fox, Sweeney and True Advertising. Clients included Coors Brewery and Meadow Gold Dairy.

It was during this time that Dick met his second wife, Marion Shieler.

They married in November 1971 and moved into their home in Willowbrook, outside Morrison, CO.

In 1975, Dick made a move to the corporate world as Director of Corporate Communications at Johns-Manville.

In the meantime, he completed his college studies, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1981.

After leaving Johns-Manville, Dick opened his own advertising agency, Richard E. True and Associates, which continued until he created the Richards Agency, from which he retired in April 2009.

An avid outdoorsman, Dick was a proud member of the Colorado Fourteeners Club, having climbed all 53 of the state’s 14,000 foot peaks over the years from 1970 to 1984. He flew gliders over the Front Range, parasailed in the Caribbean, skied the High Country, and ran half marathons and 10Ks all over the Denver area.

He loved cars and owned a succession of classic models, from his 1955 Chevy Bel Air , 1962 Chevrolet Impala, 1968 GTO (gas, tires and oil!), to his “Rockford Files” 1972 Firebird.

One of his favorites was the Jeep named “Elsie” (after his mother). In Elsie, Dick and Marion and the family went on many camping and hiking trips. Enjoying the Colorado outdoors was a lifelong pleasure.

Dick and Marion also enjoyed extensive travels, visiting destinations from the Caribbean to Europe to Africa, and more.

He was an avid movie buff and loved music, especially jazz.

Dick is survived by his wife Marion, daughters Lorree (husband Jeff) and Jana (husband Frank) and three grandchildren, Taylor, Emily and Jacob.

Dick was a devoted grandpa and nothing pleased him more than hiking and camping with them, attending school programs and ceremonies, playing host to any number of birthday and Halloween parties, and doing lots of cool stuff together.

The house in Willowbrook has a backyard pool, which Dick loved. It was the scene of many epic pool parties – memorable to anyone who attended.

Yells of “Whole Ball of Wax” will reverberate off the red rocks and in our memories for a long time.

One of Dick’s favorite sayings was, “Been there, done that!” He lived life to the fullest and embraced so many interests and activities. His generous and lively spirit will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

A private ceremony was held at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Denver, CO. Please consider making a donation to your favorite charity in Dick’s honor.