Bryan D. Shaha

Bryan Shaha Obituary

SHAHA, BRYAN D. Bryan D. Shaha, Centennial, formerly of Greeley, died on October 24, 2007. Bryan was born October 27, 1941 in Oklahoma City. Bryan served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1964 to 1969. Bryan graduated in 1972 from the University of Colorado School of Law. While in law school, he represented indigent persons for the Legal Aid Clinic. This early experience formed a lasting impression on Bryan, who spent his legal career making sacrifices without regard for personal gain in the defense of the accused and indigent persons. Bryan worked for Colorado Rural Legal Services from 1973 to 1974, then worked for 16 years in the Colorado State Public Defender System. Bryan tried six death penalty cases. None of his clients were ever executed. Bryan left the Colorado State Public Defender system in 1996 to become the Alternate Defense Counsel for the State of Colorado. His work training attorneys in Colorado and nationally allowed him to share his passion and expertise with numerous attorneys and investigators. He retired in March, 2006. Bryan married Claudia "Corky" Wells in 1966. They have one son, Colin. Bryan was married to Carol Haller in 1991. They have one daughter, Meaghan. Bryan was an avid reader and volunteered as a coach for soccer teams for both of his children, taught Great Books, was a Sunday school teacher, and coach for Destination Imagination. He was athletic his entire life, riding bikes on trips with favorite people, hiking and climbing, running races including marathons, playing handball, racquetball and squash. He was a baseball player and fan and he believed Pete Rose should be in the hall of fame. Bryan is survived by his wife and both children; daughter-in-law Cindy and grandson Beck Shaha, of Greeley; mother Margaret Shaha, Oklahoma City; sister Terry Silvey of Edmond, Oklahoma; brother Ken Shaha of Fort Worth. Bryan was preceded in death by his father, Lewis Shaha. In lieu of flowers, gifts in Bryan's name may be made to the University of Colorado School of Law to provide financial help to law students who follow in his footsteps toward a career in public service or to Escuela de Guadalupe school in Denver, to continue their mission to provide quality Catholic, dual-language education to children of all incomes. A funeral to celebrate Bryan's life will be Monday, October 29, 2007 at 10:30 a.m. at Bethany Lutheran Church, 4500 E. Hampden Ave., Cherry Hills Village, Colorado. A memorial service celebrating Bryan's life will be held in Greeley in early January, 2008.

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Published by Denver Post on Oct. 26, 2007.

Memories and Condolences
for Bryan Shaha

11 Entries

Casey Mulligan

October 29, 2007

Bryan was my boss in the Greeley office of the Colorado Public Defender. He was one of the funniest people I ever met, a great and inspiring boss, a loyal friend, and a fierce and uncompromising advocate. He made the sometimes difficult and stressful public defender work enjoyable, and helped me realize how lucky I was to be doing that work. I am lucky to have known him. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.

Larry Hicks

October 28, 2007

I have known Bryan since the days of Rancho Village Grade School. I can remember the good times we had in Scouts together, his dad and my dad took us boys to alot of Scout functions around the State we all had the best of times. We graduated from U.S. Grant together, he will be greatly missed.

Pat Hooker

October 27, 2007

I was a classmate of Bryan's in Jr./Sr. highschool and always thought of him as so vibrant and such a really nice guy.
My prayers are with his family at this time.

Kendall Hartman

October 26, 2007

I met Bryan in the 7th grade and we continued to be friends all through highschool, playing ball and just hanging out. He will be missed by all of the people whose life he touched.

Sue Brandenburg Cole

October 26, 2007

Bryan was my clasmate and friend from elementary school through highschool graduation. He was often a visitor at our home when we were just kids. Bryan was such a nice person and I am glad we were able to renew an old friendship these past few years. My prayers are with you Carol and the children.

Priscilla Mann

October 26, 2007

Bryan and I attended US Grant Jr/ Sr. High School together in Oklahoma City, OK and had a lot of fun just being kids. Bryan was a great guy and a lot of fun. May God be with your family during this time of sorrow in their lives.

Larry Kramer

October 26, 2007

I've known Bryan since grade school. We played sports and got into some mischief together as young teenagers. He was one of the brightest students in our high school class. Bryan was a thinker! Always kind and thoughtful to those around him. He will be missed by all with whom he has come in contact. A couple of years ago Bryan told me that his greatest accomplishments in life were his children, Colin and Meaghan.

Robert Greenwell

October 26, 2007

I ment Bryan in the fourth grade
1951 a friend you could always count
on.
Bobby Greenwell

Bert Nieslanik

October 26, 2007

Bryan will always be one the best storytellers, greatest advocates and funnest people I have ever met. My life is so much richer for having had him as a coworker and friend. One of justice's great champions.

Steve Duncan

October 26, 2007

Bryan was both a highschool and a law school classmate. I admired him greatly. In addition to his public service for the indigent, he was a combat veteran of the Vietnam War. A special person who will be very much missed.

Margaret Sauls Butler

October 26, 2007

Bryan was a classmate in high school. I remember him as a good student and a fun guy. He really made a difference to many people.

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