Roy C. Safstrom

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Douglas County High School University of Denver

Roy Safstrom Obituary

Safstrom, Roy C., 2/1/1949-1/13/2012. Survived by the love of his life Denise, mother Marjorie, brother Harry and sister Elaine. Roy was a dedicated teacher, musician, photographer and outdoor enthusiast. A memorial service will be held 5 pm, Sat., Feb. 4, at New Hope Presbyterian Church, Castle Rock. The Littleton symphony will include a dedication to Roy in their Feb. 10 concert. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Roy's name to research at amyloidosis.org or to the Denver Zoo.

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Published by Denver Post on Feb. 1, 2012.

Memories and Condolences
for Roy Safstrom

9 Entries

Christina Ortega-Clarke

October 7, 2013

I'm deeply saddened that I just found this post almost 2 years later. I had been looking for Mr. Safstrom for awhile and just came across my old high school Letter certificate with his name on it.

As a DPS student at Thomas Jefferson High School, I remember how he would allow me to "hang" out in the music room during my study hall period. He had his orchestra class at the same time and allowed me to play my flute with them.
I remember him walking in the hall ways with his "gazillion" music room keys jingling from his belt or his keys jiggling when he was conducting the band.
My favorite memories of Mr. Safstrom was when he conducted the high school musicals. We had a lot of fun during those times and he helped all of us expand our musical abilities.
Mr. Safstrom, you'll be missed and you taught me so much about music.
To his family - as his music child, I will certainly miss the opportunity to reconnect with him.

Amanda Hamp

February 12, 2012

Roy was a wonderful man and will be missed dearly by his friends and family. My prayers and thoughts are with you guys.... Love You

Mary and Bill Goodison

February 5, 2012

What keeps a High School student getting up at 5:00 every morning? IB Music with Mr. Safstrom!

For the past four years, we've been regaled with our daughter's stories of "Safstrom" on an almost daily basis! He stoked her love of music from playing in the strings to the chamber orchestra, to composing pieces written for her IB Music classes. He was even her extended essay advisor! As much of an influence as he was, he pushed her to find others, too. Through his knowledge of the music community he encouraged her to develop her skill outside his classroom.

Being a photographer, I was enchanted with one of his pieces and purchased it at an end of year banquet. I'm so glad I did. Now wherever she goes, she'll have music in her heart and another gentle reminder of the man who gave until his time on this earth ran out!

God bless you and your family. Thank you for sharing such a dear man with the rest of us.

February 5, 2012

TO MR. SAFSTROM'S FAMILY,
THANK YOU FOR SHARING A WONDERFUL AND UNFORGETTABLE MAN WITH US ALL.
AS A PARENT OF A DOUGLAS COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL ORCHESTRA GRADUATE STUDENT, HE WAS THE MOST INFLUENTIAL TEACHER OF MY DAUGHTER'S HIGH SCHOOL EXPERIENCE AND SHE CHERISHED HIM ALWAYS.
AS MEMBER OF THE PARENT GROUP, WORDS CANNOT EXPRESS THE GRATITUDE I HAVE OF HIS DEDICATION TO THE EDUCATION OF YOUNG MUSICIANS. HIS ENDLESS HOURS AND POSITIVE SUPPORT OF STUDENTS HELPED US, AS PARENTS, PREPARE OUR CHILDREN FOR THE NEXT JOURNEY IN THEIR LIVES.

CHEERS TO ROY! I AM SURE HE IS BUSY RIDING THAT TRAIN TO GET THAT NEXT PHOTO.
GOD BLESS,
CHERYL OHORO
DC ORCHESTRA VP AND FUNDRAISING COORDINATOR, 2009-2011

February 5, 2012

MUSIC IS IN THE MINDS, SOULS, AND HEARTS OF ALL OF US. THANK YOU MR. SAFSTROM FOR SHOWING US THAT PATH AS A MUSICIAN, EDUCATOR, AND FRIEND.

FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS,
THE DOUGLAS COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL ORCHESTRA GRADUATING CLASS OF 2011

Darren McClaury

February 4, 2012

I owe Mr Safstrom a lot. I knew him most as my director at Smiley. It's hard really, to get to be close to a band director in middle school, One period a day, and I'm one of ~50-60 kids there. But I had a regular "meeting " with him, as I remember, doing almost biweekly challenges and he always remarked on how good a tone I had, really sounds solid, (and that slight encouragement/compliment, spurred me to keep going), but I kept losing it on my rhythm/time. Boy working rhythms now is one of my big points. I didn't take my horn home much, and I tell my students all the time how I was "proud" to "almost" beat the guy ahead of me who practiced all the time, and how much better I'd be today if only I'd decided to put in that time myself.

20 years later, I started seeing him more often as an adult. It was still hard for me to talk to an old teacher, but we had a few good chats during church gigs and some DPS computer functions. I think I was lucky, I did get the chance to thank him and relay the good influence he had on me to his face. So often that goes unsaid. I hope he understood the place he held in my development, and was proud of what he wrought.

Barbara Lepke-Sims

February 3, 2012

To Roy's family, I played for Roy when he was in the hospital this past fall and had a nice conversation with him. I am so sorry he is no longer with us. I would run into Roy occasionally at gigs or music teacher events. Also, when Roy's Dad was personnal manager of the DSO, he would hire me to play 2nd harp. My deepest sympathies to the family. God bless, Barb Weiger Lepke-Sims

February 3, 2012

I am very sorry to hear of Roy's passing. I did not know him but knew his father Harry. His family will be in my thoughts and prayers. Sara Keene, Lakewood, Colorado

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