Charles Weaver Margolf

Charles W. Margolf had a penchant for quotes. "I could see it coming and there wasn't a thing I could do to stop it." He died in Longmont, Colorado, on April 4, 2017, at the age of 90. Before moving to Longmont with his wife, Barbara, they lived from 1973 to 2009 in Boulder, where he became a neighborhood celebrity for his mastery of freestanding rock wall construction around their home. Charles was a member of St. John's Episcopal Church and the Boulder Torch Club. He was a lifelong student of history, political philosophy, constitutional law and American politics and gave numerous speeches throughout his life regarding those subjects (as well as writing many a Letter to the Editor of his local paper). Charles came from a musical family and enjoyed singing with his father and two brothers, Paul and David. Having always sung in groups and choirs, he gave his first solo performance at age 85 in his voice teacher's spring recital. For the next four years, he participated in each recital, singing one favorite Irish song and one of his own compositions. Born in State College, Pennsylvania, he was the son of Anne (Weaver) and Paul Margolf. Following high school, he proudly served in the U.S. Navy Air Corps during World War II. Discharged in December 1946, he returned home and earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering from Pennsylvania State University in 1950. He also met Barbara Keefer, a Penn State student who bought her art supplies at Keeler's Bookstore where he was working. They married in 1951 and she supported them while he earned his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law in 1953. In his first job in the Law Dept. of Reynolds Metals Company in Richmond, Virginia, Charles became closely associated with Reynolds' project at Lake DeSmet, in Buffalo, Wyoming. He made his first trip there in October 1954, flying into Sheridan, arriving after dark. When he walked off the plane and saw the northern Wyoming night sky filled with stars, he knew he had found home. He became Wyoming Division Manager of Reynolds Mining Corp. in 1966 and moved with his family to Buffalo in 1967. He thoroughly enjoyed his work and encouraged Reynolds' involvement in local activities such as the restoration of Fort Phil Kearny. Charles joined Cameron Engineers, Inc., in Denver, Colorado, in 1972, as vice president in charge of the firm's coal, water and environmental activities. In 1974, he joined the Natural Resources Group of W.R. Grace & Co. as Director of Western Coal Operations, becoming Vice-President of Western Coal Development in 1981 and Vice-President of Coal Development for Colowyo Coal Company in 1988. Upon retirement in 1990 he became an independent consultant to the mining industry which included travel to Pakistan and Romania to assist in revising those countries' mining laws. Charles was a life member and past president of the Rocky Mountain Coal Mining Institute, member of the Colorado Mining Assn., the Denver Coal Club and the Wyoming State Bar. His integrity, sagacity, generosity, and the twinkle in his blue eyes are missed by his family, friends and colleagues. His wife of 60 years, Barbara, predeceased him in 2012. They are survived by their children, Kristin Margolf, Kimberly Alme (Douglas) and Hunter Margolf (Stephen Lappen) and by their granddaughter, Morgan Uebele (Zachary), and grandson, Jared Alme. A memorial service will be held later this year. Condolences may be sent to 36 Dartmouth Circle, Longmont, CO 80503. In lieu of flowers, as our Dad would say, "If you see someone without a smile, give them one of your's."