Frank Bulkley II

1914 - 2012

BORN

1914

DIED

2012

Frank Bulkley Obituary

Bulkley II, Frank
1914 - 2012
Frank Bulkley II passed away at his home on Sunday, April 15th. Born July 26,1914 in Denver, the Colorado ski industry pioneer began skiing during the 1930s. He started a children's ski group to Berthoud Pass and was involved early on with the Winter Park Ski Area which opened in 1939-40 where he established the Winter Park Ski School and Shop.
He served in World War II, first in the 10th Mountain Division and later as a 1st Lieutenant with the 42nd infantry.
Renowned for founding the Eskimo Ski Club, which introduced thousands of young skiers to the sport, he was inducted into the Colorado Ski Hall of Fame in 1978, received the Halstead Award and was honored with the President 's Award from Colorado Ski Country USA. The Eskimo Ski Club became a Denver institution and was a contributing factor to Winter Park's early success.
In 1949 he married Nancy Van Stone who became a vital part of both the Club and the Eskimo Ski Shops.
Frank is survived by his wife, Nancy; four children, Anne, Frank III (JoAnn), Mary Goodin, Laura Dalgarno, six grandchildren, and three great grandchildren, two sisters, Elizabeth Rue and Louise Garland, and thousands of former Eskimo Club members.
An engaging man, he was kind and caring with a wonderful sense of humor. A memorial service is scheduled Thursday April 26th at 1:00 at Highline Community Church, 3651 S. Colorado Boulevard, followed by a reception at the Wellshire Inn to relive and remember the wonderful and varied experiences he brought to family and friends. Memorial contributions may be made to the Denver Boys and Girls Club or Food Bank of the Rockies.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Denver Post on Apr. 22, 2012.

Memories and Condolences
for Frank Bulkley

7 Entries

William Halamicek

January 1, 2021

Thought about ole Frank for some reason. I worked on and off his payroll for 8 years. A Fair and Fine fellow. Very easygoing gent with wonderful
personality. Drove me in 70's to his ranch near Winter Park. As he drove into the mountains from Englewood he point out all the obscure peaks he hiked up and skied. Kinda amazing. Riding in car that day was remarkable because it was more like during with a good friend rather than Boss and underling. He said he was badly injured by tank fire the last day of the battle of the bulge, In world war II.

April 26, 2012

An excerpt from a letter I sent to Frank on January 30, 2010: "...One summer, you hired me to work in the ski shop which was then located on 7th Avenue near Pearl Street. I lived nearby, on 7th and Emerson. My job was in the basement of the ski shop, sorting through hundreds (thousands?) of pairs of leather ski boots, matching them up, cleaning and polishing them, and getting them ready for the rental season. I bought my first pair of skis from that shop (Schaeffer Blizzards, as I recall), to which I attached myself with no effective safety release via “long thongs”. How I escaped a broken leg or ankle I will never know! But, I do remember breaking one of those skis on Lower Hughes at Winter Park as I buried a tip in a mogul!

Your ski lessons made a difference in my life. I loved to ski as a young man, and when I was married in 1975 at age 31, my new wife and I enjoyed our honeymoon skiing at Christmas time in Kitzbuehl, Austria. Many years later, I introduced both of my children (boys) to skiing in California. Then, while skiing at Mt. Bachelor in central Oregon about 10 years ago, I experienced a problem with my heart, so that pretty much ended my skiing days. But, the baton has been passed to another generation, as my sons both love to ski, and my son here in Boise gave his 3 year old son a pair of skis for Christmas this year. In fact, they are enjoying their first day of skiing together as a father/son today at Bogus Basin here in Boise. That never would have happened without you and the Eskimo Ski Club."

Need I say more"

Jack Scripps

April 26, 2012

Thanks to Frank Bulkley and his organization for teaching our four kids to ski, a sport they have enjoyed all their lives!

Bob and Barb Henry

April 25, 2012

Mr. Bulkley was an inspiration to me as I was growing up and through my particiaption in the Eskimo Club. He was a great mentor. My sympathies to the Bulkley family, Frank lived a long and good life. Michael Ramer (Eskimo Club 1969-80)

Lucy Powers

April 23, 2012

Frank was my uncle. He and Nancy fanned the flame of entrepreneurship in me :-)
They blessed my life in many ways.
I pray the wonderful legacy of the ski club and entrepreneurship will continue to flourish through all of us.
Today I could go into most any location and say, "Eskimo Ski Club" and a head or two will turn and someone will say, their children belonged, or they did." And stories follow!
I am so glad Nancy is still with us for she is a delight to my heart :-)
God's Blessings and Peace to All,
Lucy Powers
***

Tom and Sylvia Duncan

April 23, 2012

We have heard wonderful stories of Mr. Bulkley's dedication to his family, his country, and the ski industry. He is one who will be long remembered for his unique contribution to our American way of life.

April 22, 2012

Great guy, old ski friend, employee, 10th Mtn. Div. He was a true pioneer of Colorado skiing! Clark Wingate

Showing 1 - 7 of 7 results