Henry G. “Skip” Kauerz
Henry Graham Kauerz, always known as “Skip,” was born on January 28, 1942 to Frances Van Stone Kauerz and Henry H. Kauerz in Denver, Colorado. His earthly life ended on February 1, 2021.
Skip grew up in Denver where he attended Stevens Elementary School and Morey Junior High. He graduated from East High School, where he was an avid member of the tennis team. He attended Colorado State University and worked as a cartographer for Jeppesen and Company.
He and his high school sweetheart, Marla Bullock, married in 1964 and, together, had three daughters. Skip adored Amy, Kristie, and Jennifer and was infinitely proud of each of them. They have stories of feeling cherished and protected, humored and embarrassed and, always, unconditionally loved by him. He taught his daughters to go at life with a jovial spirit and just enough sternness to be taken seriously. Skip’s role as a grandfather was his favorite; his four grandchildren lighted up his life.
In 1965, Skip was hired by United Airlines and spent 40 years in a variety of roles for them and their subsidiaries. His job took the family to St. Paul, MN and Grand Junction, CO. In 1980, they were transferred back to the Denver area; Skip and Marla have lived in Littleton for over 40 years. With the family firmly established, Skip commuted to and from Chicago for three years. After retirement from Galileo, he worked part-time at the Pepsi Center in hospitality. He also volunteered at the Children’s Hospital Colorado Kidney Dialysis Center. He was a people person and thrived in roles where he interacted with others.
Wherever they lived, Skip and Marla were active members of the United Methodist Church. The highlight of church membership came in Grand Junction in the 1970s when the first meeting to create a new church was held in their family room. Eventually Redlands United Methodist Church became a reality and many other founding members remain lifelong friends.
Skip spent his life surrounded by, raising, and championing strong women. He encouraged and supported Marla to fulfill her dream of attending seminary; she graduated from The Iliff School of Theology in mid-life. Skip was a vibrant and active part of every United Methodist congregation where Marla served. He ushered, greeted, and led countless committees. He loved being liturgist but nobody, ever, asked him to sing in the choir.
Skip had a zest for life. Whether it was playing “football” with a loaf of bread in a grocery store, yelling on Disneyland rides, chaperoning church youth group mission trips, white water rafting, playing competitive racquetball as an adult, dancing with his daughters and grandchildren, cheering with gusto at Broncos games, playing bridge and poker with friends, or simply getting a laugh in with friends and family – Skip was active and joyful. He was always a diehard Denver Broncos fan. He often reminded Marla that he’d had season tickets longer than they’d been married.
Skip rarely met a stranger. He befriended ushers at football games and clerks at the grocery store. He became a favorite of children at the hospital where he volunteered, and of the doctors who cared for him. Throughout life, Skip found and kept good friends wherever he went.
Over the course of his life, Skip courageously dealt with a number of medical issues including Type I diabetes and cardiac bypass surgery. After his parents divorced when Skip was 8, his father remarried and had a second family, but there was no contact. In December 2008, Skip received the kidney of his younger brother, Jim Kauerz, whom he had met only as an adult. It was the greatest Christmas present ever.
In the past month, Skip did his best to overcome complicated medical issues (not COVID), but it was not to be. Marla was by his side, as she had been for many years through joy and sorrow and many ordinary days. His last gift was to become a tissue donor through the Donor Alliance. It would have made Skip very thankful to know that he had given life to others.
Skip is survived by his wife, Marla, his daughters, Amy and son-in-law Jim McIntosh, Kristie and son-in-law Jeff Gilmartin, and Jennie Dawe, and grandchildren, Alina, Gustav, Gwenyth, and Sophie. He is also remembered by many relatives and friends, all of whom enriched his life.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at a later time when we can safely gather. If you wish to celebrate Skip’s life, please consider making a donation in his memory to one of the following organizations. They reflect his love for children and his commitment to helping others.
Children’s Diabetes Foundation
** Donations may be directed to Area of Greatest Need. And please note “In Memory of Skip Kauerz.”
Children’s Diabetes Foundation
3025 South Parker Road Suite 110
Aurora, CO 80014
https://www.childrensdiabetesfoundation.org/donate/
Donor Alliance
** Please note “Donating In Memory of Skip Kauerz.”
Donor Alliance
200 Spruce Street, Suite 200
Denver, CO 80230
https://www.donoralliance.org/contribute/
Hunger Free Colorado
** Please note “Dedicate My Donation In Memory of Skip Kauerz.”
Hunger Free Colorado/Hunger Free Students
1355 S. Colorado Blvd., Suite 201
Denver, CO 80222
https://www.classy.org/give/276385/#!/donation/checkout
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