Richard Woods Porter
April 12, 1948 to March 16, 2022
Richard Woods Porter, Dick to those who knew and loved him, was born in Ann Arbor, MI. He followed his brother, Steve who was born exactly six years earlier on the same date! He began his college work at University of Michigan and then headed west to Oregon to complete his Masters. Soon after, Colorado called his name.
Dick worked in oil and gas in the 70’s and 80’s in Denver. While in that field, he met 5 other men who soon became his best friends and traveled with him to Canyonlands in Utah twice a year to camp, hike, and share 45 years of great times and memories together. He also worked at Colorado School of Mines in Environmental Health and Safety before he retired in 2015.
In 1988 he met Kathy and they were married and blended their families on July 1, 1989. Jessica (Dick’s daughter) and Devin (Kathy’s son) became an instant brother and sister and quickly learned all the ways they could torture each other and their parents as they grew up. What began as a blended family is now a great source of support and family for each other as we navigate through our lives.
Dick had a big loving heart that was such an incredible part of who he was and how much he gave to each and every person he had in his life. After retirement, he enjoyed volunteering at Foothills Animal Shelter, Thompson Elementary, Community Table, and the Apex Senior Recreation Center. As he gave so much of his heart through the years, his heart began to fail and he became our family’s guardian angel on March 16, 2022.
He is survived by his wife Kathy, his children Jessica (Jesse) and Devin (Dee Dee), his brother Steve (Martha) and so many friends he made throughout his life and his career. His grandchildren, Daniel, Ahdia, and Aubriana were the light of his life and he loved their hugs that “squeezed the spit” out of him.
A Celebration of his Life will be held in early summer 2022.
Make a Donation
Donations in his memory may be shared with Community Table (Arvada Food Bank) or any charity of your choosing.
