A fond “goodbye” to a good friend, Buz Koelbel
Sad news travels fast. I learned this weekend that Walter A. Buz Koelbel had passed after a battle with cancer.
Buz was always a doer, a fighter, a risk taker, and not afraid of a challenge. A patriot has ended his last fight.
I met Buz Koelbel four-
decades ago when he was working for his father Walter Koelbel in the real estate investment company. In the last century the family developed Pinehurst and later the 535 home Preserve in Greenwood Village. It is one of Colorado’s finest residential areas. He was also responsible for many other projects, including a Winter Park development. He followed in the footsteps of George Wallace and John Madden, doing great projects with quality and style. The Preserve is a masterpiece complimented by the adjacent Koelbel Library.
The Preserve was not an easy project. Prior to the residential project it was designed to be a golf course surrounded by homes. A downward shift in the economy and a cautious Greenwood Village City Council postponed the project. When the economy improved the golf course gave way to a demand for luxury homes and the Preserve was born. I still enjoy the beautiful flowers that surround the development on my paper route.
One memory of the early days during the Preserve land purchase was the plight of the prairie dogs that resided by the thousands on the large natural habitat that was to be developed. The Greenwood Village council chamber was packed with local residents, some in favor, and some against the development. Protesters were fighting to save the prairie dog habitat. TV cameras were rolling and Buz was doing his best to control his emotions. The land purchase and project moved forward and eventually became beautiful homesites and the prairie dogs were safely relocated.
Down through the years we had many enjoyable times with the Koelbel family supporting their philanthropic activities. Sherri headed up the Denver Zoo and Buz served on many boards where his wisdom and compassion were in high demand.
Koelbel & Company was started in 1952 by Walter Koelbel, Sr. and was led by his son Buz for the last 47 years. He announced his recent retirement at age 71, moving to the executive chairmanship of the company. He turned the day-to day operations over to the leadership of his three sons, Carl, Walt, and Dean. Carl, taking the presidency, and becoming CEO of the third generation Koebel & Company. Carl is following in the entrepreneurial footsteps of his father, in recent weeks, purchasing several Class A buildings in the DTC.
We have lost a wonderful friend and a great patriotic American who believed strongly in hard work. He recently wrote the following in his Buz bulletins to friends: “I have been very blessed and grateful being an active participant and beneficiary of this remarkable dream…The fundamental principles and values from the genius of our founding fathers include freedoms, property rights, and the rule of law fortifying the inalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”
He penned, “An ‘unfettered’ individual allowed to pursue whatever level of success and achievement he/she so chose unleashed the inherent curiosity creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit of the human mind. This is why we have such an extensive level of conveniences, luxuries, advancements, and simply a very privileged life as compared to most around the world.”
He concludes, “Work is what provides each individual a purpose in life, a sense of accomplishment and the foundational importance of human dignity. The result is a stable and productive individual, a more civil neighborhood, community, and overall society.”
These words were written by Buz Koelbel recently in his last message to all. He was a great citizen, patriot, and hard-working American. “Hail” to the Koelbel family. Goodbye Buz and thank you for your life’s work. And thank you for supporting and reading The Villager for the last 43 years.