Arlin Dale Hubka

Arlin Dale Hubka passed from his life on Earth on December 12, 2025, in Englewood, Colorado, at the age of 89.

Arlin was born on June 5, 1936, in Pawnee City, Nebraska, the second of three children born to Rudolph Wesley Hubka and Hilda Beatrice (Fiser) Hubka. In 1942, his family moved to Wheat Ridge, Colorado, so his father could support the World War II effort by working at Remington Arms, manufacturing ammunition.

Growing up in Wheat Ridge, Arlin formed many lifelong friendships and was active in youth sports leagues, piano lessons, and Boy Scouts. He achieved the rank of Eagle Scout—becoming the youngest to do so in the Denver area at that time—and participated in Eagle Scout Indian Dances at Red Rocks and La Junta. Like many industrious boys of his era, Arlin held various neighborhood jobs, including shoveling snow and mowing the lawn of famed athlete Babe Zaharias.

Arlin attended Wheat Ridge High School, where he excelled athletically, earning All-State honors in football and basketball. He was a member of the Farmers’ 1953 Class A State Championship basketball team. After graduating in 1954, he earned a football scholarship to the University of Colorado. A three-year letterman for the Buffaloes, Arlin played in the 1957 Orange Bowl victory over Clemson.

While at CU, Arlin met his freshman roommate, Robert Redford, when they were paired in the athletic dormitory. The two roomed together again during their sophomore year after joining the Kappa Sigma Fraternity, before Redford left to pursue an acting career in New York. During the summers, Arlin worked construction jobs, including projects at the Coors Brewery in Golden and building bridges on Interstate 25 near the Air Force Academy.

Arlin met Nancy Angle at the University of Colorado, and they were married in May 1958. Both graduated that year; Arlin with a bachelor’s degree in business and Nancy with a degree in distributed studies. Arlin began a long and successful career with NYCO Incorporated, a concrete construction supply company specializing in Simplex forms. Over more than 30 years, his sales territory expanded well beyond Colorado, even reaching Alaska. He retired in 1991 as a part-owner and Vice President.

Arlin and Nancy made their home in Westminster and raised four children: Michael (1959), Timothy (1960), Stephen (1962), and Sharon (1964). They later divorced in 1971.

Soon after, Arlin married Harriet Jane Schroeder. They moved to Littleton, where their daughter Kathryn was born in 1973. That marriage also ended several years later.

In 1985, Arlin married Loretta Steadman. After his retirement, they moved to Tucson, Arizona, where they embraced an active and adventurous life together. Traveling by camper, they visited all 50 states and enjoyed numerous cruises and international trips spanning at least five continents. Their home was filled with photographs, mementos, and maps documenting their journeys. Loretta joined Arlin in cheering for his favorite teams; the Denver Broncos, the University of Colorado, and the University of Arizona and together they held season tickets and followed games faithfully.

In Tucson, Arlin took pride in maintaining their yard, caring for palm and citrus trees, feeding birds, and watching the surrounding wildlife. He enjoyed building collections of beer cans, logo golf balls, caps, and matchbooks gathered from his travels. Each morning, he read the newspaper and saved articles he thought might interest friends and family.

Loretta passed away on November 7, 2016. Two years later, Arlin returned to Colorado to be closer to family, residing at Brookdale Meridian Senior Living in Englewood. There, he was known warmly for sharing stories from his long and full life with residents and staff alike.

Arlin was a Christian and a devoted member of the Methodist Church. Throughout his life, he was active in Valley Vista United Methodist Church near Westminster, Littleton United Methodist Church, St. Mark’s Methodist Church in Tucson, and University Park United Methodist Church in Denver.

Arlin lived a good, long life and took great pride in his family, accomplishments, and experiences. He is survived by his five children: Mike (Elene) Hubka of Manhattan, Kansas; Tim (Cathy) Hubka of Denver; Steve Hubka of Denver; Sharon (Dave) MacGregor of Englewood, Colorado; and Kathryn (Blair) Nicol of Bend, Oregon. He was the proud grandfather of thirteen grandchildren: Brett, Jeff (Mike), Ruth, Severin, Elizabeth, Luke (Tim), Nathan (Steve), Joel, Abigail, Rebecca, Hannah (Sharon), London, and Greyson (Kathy) and six great-grandchildren: Emma, Reagan (Abigail), Harper, Hattie (Brett), Oliver (Joel), and Harrison, with another great-grandchild on the way (Ruthie). He is also survived by his sister Devona and brother-in-law Joe Spykstra; their children Jody, Dan and extended family; and Loretta’s sons, Bryan and Rick Steadman.

Arlin was preceded in death by his wife Loretta, his parents, his sister Norma, and his daughter-in-law Betsy Willits.

A Memorial Service celebrating Arlin's life will be held at 2pm on January 31st at University Park United Methodist Church 2180 S. University Blvd., Denver CO 80210. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Arlin's honor to the Wheat Ridge High School Athletic Program by contacting Alisha Rotola-Digby 303-982-1253. 

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