Gene Raymond Roberts

Local resident Gene Raymond Roberts, 76, died Thursday, Oct. 31, 2013, at his home on Florida Mesa from complications of Alzheimer's disease and a hiatal hernia.

Mr. Roberts was born April 25, 1937, to Raymond and Burnece Roberts in Denver. He graduated from East High School in 1955. He studied at Colorado A&M (now Colorado State University) and graduated from the University of Denver in 1960, with a degree in business management.

Mr. Roberts worked with the U.S. Postal Service through high school and college, and served three years in the Air National Guard, from 1960 to 1963.

In 1958, Mr. Roberts married Nancy Nix, and they had one son, Randy. The marriage ended in divorce in 1964.

While working for the Loveland Ski Patrol, he met Jan Tenhunen. The couple married in Lakewood, on May 28, 1966. They lived in Denver and Idaho Springs while he was employed by American Metal Climax.

In 1969, they purchased the Wilderness Trails Ranch in the upper Pine River Valley, north of Vallecito Reservoir. They owned and operated the historic dude ranch together, where Mr. Roberts served as a hunting and touring guide in the Weminuche Wilderness.

Mr. Roberts enjoyed the mountains. He was vice president of the Professional Ski Instructors of America, an accomplished instructor and supervisor at Purgatory Ski Area, now Durango Mountain Resort. He taught in the Disabled Ski School, now the Adaptive Sports Association, and wrote the first instruction manual for teaching skiing for the blind. He was given a lifetime pass to DMR for his service.

Mr. Roberts served on the board of directors for the Colorado Dude and Guest Ranch Association for five years, serving as president from 1987-88. He was also a board member of the national group, the Dude Ranchers Association, for six years and served as president from 2003 to 2005.

"He was widely recognized for his contributions to the dude ranch industry," according to his family." Through his passion and profession, he touched and changed the lives of thousands of guests, employees, clients, friends and family members."

On their ranch, the Robertses raised, trained and showed Morgan horses, and showed cutting horses. Mr. Roberts was also an avid mountain biker, runner, outdoorsman, dancer, traveler and storyteller, according to his family.

Mr. Roberts is survived by his wife of 47 years, Jan Roberts, of Durango; children Randy Roberts, of Farmington, Lance Erik Roberts of Silverton, Erika Roberts of Durango, and Sasha Seyb of San Diego; sister, Sharon Sample, of Palisade; and two grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Mercy, 1 Mercado St., Suite 270, Durango, CO 81301, or online at www.mercydurango.orghomecarehospicedonate; or to La Plata County Humane Society, 1111 S. Camino del Rio, Durango, CO 81303 or at www.lpchumanesociety.org/tributememorials.html.

A roundup with live music and dancing will be held from 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23, 2013, at the Henry Strater Theatre.