Hugh Charles Fowler

Former State Senator Hugh C. Fowler, who served three terms in the Colorado Senate representing Arapahoe County from 1968 -- 1980 passed away October 25 in Denver. Senator Fowler also served one Regent-at-large term for the University of Colorado from 1983 – 1989.

Born in Evanston, IL and a graduate of Evanston Township High School, Fowler entered the navy (V-12) at University of Wisconsin in 1943 and transferred to the University of Colorado (BS ’48) where he was commissioned in 1945 and served in the South Pacific (Guam). Fowler was recalled to active service 1951 – 1954 serving on the heavy cruiser USS Bremerton in the South China Sea.

As chairman of the Senate Education Committee for 10 years, he was a champion and tireless advocate for parental choice in public education. As president of Classic Schools, Inc. Fowler founded the highly successful Cherry Creek Academy, Twin Peaks Classic Academy in Longmont and Aurora Academy Charter School. Growing up in Evanston, where he and his identical twin brother Parker spent their childhood riding the trains around Chicago, Fowler’s first bill he introduced created a partnership between Colorado and New Mexico to purchase the narrow gauge Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad and save it from being abandoned.

In addition to reforming public schools and saving trains, Fowler was the Scout Master of Boy Scout Troop 344 in Littleton and a successful business owner of Fowler & More & Company, an advertising and marketing firm in Englewood. Clients included Dixon Paper Company, Loveland Ski Area, Freeman’s Furniture Cream, Duffy’s Delicious Soft Drinks and Gates Land Company in Colorado Springs among others. From 1981 to 1985 Fowler was VP of the Hillsdale College think tank The Shavano Institute and executive producer of “Counterpoint” a series that aired on CNN.

One of Hugh’s greatest joys was singing bass in the Cherry Creek Presbyterian Church choir in Englewood, where he and his wife Shirley have been members for 20 years. Skiing, golfing and gardening rounded out Hugh’s passions.

Hugh was genuinely adored as the patriarch of his clan and is survived by his wife of 74 years Shirley (Sprague), daughter Laurie Beckel (Dr. John Crawford) of Idaho Springs, Chuck Fowler (Linda Hinton) of Colorado Springs, grandchildren Yaisa (Nathan Banek) of Tirana, Albania, Nathan Beckel of Denver (Alia Haley), Emily Sheldon (David Sheldon) of Denver and five great grandchildren: twins Lise and Mya Banek, Luka Banek, Maxwell and Spencer Sheldon (with third Sheldon boy due in January), and brother David A. Fowler (Marilyn) of Denver. Hugh was predeceased by his identical twin brother F. Parker Fowler, Jr. in 2011.

Memorial service scheduled for 11:00AM, November 10 at Cherry Creek Presbyterian Church 10150 Belleview Avenue, Englewood, CO, followed by a reception at the church and full military honor guard at Ft. Logan National Cemetery at 2:30PM. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Hugh’s name to the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad, 500 Terrace Ave, Chama, NM 87520.

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