Steven Terlecki

The family of Steve Terlecki is saddened to share news of his passing March 4th, 2022, a few days shy of his 69th birthday, having fought pancreatic cancer most of the past year.

Steve grew up in Chicago but headed to the University of New Mexico (UNM) in 1970 to study geology, a field he knew he wanted to explore at a young age having spent summer vacations camping and visiting national parks with his family. At UNM, he joined the mountaineering club, met his future wife, and spent weekends investigating new areas in the state: the mountains, deserts, mines, and exotic lands.

From Albuquerque, Steve headed to Tulsa and Cities Service Oil Company where in 1974 his training began in petroleum exploration geology. After leaving Oklahoma and moving to Colorado, Steve worked for or consulted with many companies in Colorado, Oklahoma, and Texas, among them: Trend Exploration, Charleton Resources, Amoco, Questar/QEP Resources and Wapiti Energy. He was a member of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG), Tulsa Geological Society (TGS), Oklahoma City Geological Society (OCGS), and Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists (RMAG). He was an AAPG Certified Petroleum Geologist and a Certified Wyoming Professional Geologist.

In late 1978, Steve and Barbara moved to Colorado, to their home in Columbine Valley, started a family, and began their love affair with the Rocky Mountains. Each year, Steve planned outings for hiking, backpacking, elk hunting and skiing, including his family on most every adventure. He summitted all of Colorado’s 14’ers, hiked the full length of the Colorado trail and did numerous back-country ski and snowshoe trips. Trips abroad included Africa climbing Kilimanjaro, Slovenia and Mount Triglav, Scotland and Ben Nevis, along with numerous hikes in Iceland, Norway, and England.

Steve’s second love was ice hockey. When not outdoors, he could be found at a local ice rink playing hockey with the “old guys”, where he formed incredible lifelong friendships.

Early in his career, he volunteered for Homeowners Association and served as Street Commissioner on the Board of Trustees for the Town of Columbine Valley. But it was his calling in geology that motivated him to volunteer “rock talk” at local schools and Boy Scouts (Troup 444), spending time in the summers at Philmont Ranch as a Geology counselor or at Dinosaur Ridge in Morrison.

Steve found great joy in family, especially the grand kids.  He loved to brag about their adventures and achievements. But it was the grandchildren who inspired Steve to play his most festive role. From college on, Steve had always had a beard, neat and trim. However, about the time the 1st grandbabies arrived, the beard had turned white. At that point, Steve began to grow it out to play Santa. He practiced his role on the ski runs at Copper Mountain for many years and basked in glory of Saint Nick while handing out candy canes to all the kids!

Steve is survived by his wife, Barbara; daughters Meredith, and Jessica; son Ted; five grandchildren; and sister Mary.

A Celebration of Life will be held Tuesday, March 29th at 2:00 pm at Horan & McConaty, 3101 South Wadsworth Blvd., Lakewood, CO 80227.

In lieu of flowers, Steve requested you consider donating to any of the following organizations:

• Philmont Scout Ranch ( www.philmontscoutranch.org/ )

Under Philmont Fire Recovery, click donate, please include notation for Memorial Donation for Steven Terlecki

• 10th Mt Division Hut Association ( www.donatehuts.org )

click on green crossed skis, on the payment page look for the In Memory section and fill-in Steven Terlecki

• DAWG Nation Hockey Foundation ( https://www.dawgnationhockey.org/donate-in-memory-of-steve-terlecki/ )

Please leave memories and condolences for Steve by signing his tribute wall.