Richard R. Taft

Mr. Richard "Dick" Robinson Taft passed away on February 1st, 2025. Richard was born June 28th, 1956 in Framingham, Massachusetts the son of the late William and Dora Taft (née Shoughrue).  Richard died at the age of 68 after a bitter battle with Alzheimer's Disease.

Richard spent his childhood in Taylorville, Illinois.  He attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, graduating with a degree in architecture. He, his first wife Anne, and their two children lived briefly in Rockford, Illinois.  Richard and his family moved to Denver, Colorado in 1981; Colorado would remain his home for the rest of his life.  Richard founded an architecture firm, Development Design Consortium, DDC, a childhood dream.  DDC helped Richard to find his real passion, development. After closing DDC Richard spent the next 30 years working on many development projects, commercial and residential, primarily across Denver and stretched as far West as Blackhawk and Central City and South to Pueblo. The development projects that were the most meaningful to him centered around creating places for the underserved members of the community to call home. Richard's advocacy, and partnership with the affordable housing community in Denver, and the greater Front Range area, had a meaningful impact on many people's lives.

Richard loved a nice suit, a cocktail - Tangere and tonic, a good meal, and driving his Cadillac. 

Richard is survived by his children Allison Learned (née Taft) and Douglas Taft, and their spouses, Kasey Learned and Honor Taft, respectively.  He is also survived by his ex-wives Anne Lotter (née Clarke) and Megan Carnarius, and his brother Thomas Taft, as well as three grandchildren: Jackson Learned, Gwyneth Taft, and Wyatt Taft.   

Family and friends will celebrate Richard's life on Sunday, February 23 at an open house from 12-4.  For details, please email rrtaft17@gmail.com.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to a charity of your choosing in Richard's name and memory.

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