Memories of Dean "Sam" Letschka

In memory of

Dean "Sam" Letschka

Lakewood, CO

1953 - November 29, 2021

1953 - Nov 29, 2021

Help keep everyone in the know by sharing this memorial website.

Share

Story

Condolence

Year (Optional)

Location (Optional)

Caption

YouTube/Facebook/Vimeo Link

Caption

Who is in this photo?

Or start with a template for inspiration

About you

What was your relationship to Dean?

Cancel

By posting this memory, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Notice.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Krystal Yvonne Quevedo

Gary Brooks

Still miss you, Sam.

Gary

Read More Read Less

Krystal Yvonne Quevedo

AJ Steinke

Shared a heart

Krystal Yvonne Quevedo

Share your sympathy. Send flowers from a local florist to Dean's family or funeral.

Browse sympathy flowers

Mike Berry

2000, Telluride, CO, USA

Just ran into this after a search and I'm floored. I wouldn't know where to start with "Dean" stories, except they started in the Suzie days of yore. One trip to the Telluride Jazz festival stands out just because he was such a beacon for everyone in Suzie's van. Everyone else was brain dead but DL kept us from going to jail or flat out dying. Another great one was the Ogalla Regatta back in the Sol Cat days. The S.C. was about the slowest catamaran around (Portsmouth rating) but we entered the race anyway. We were taking up the rear and even stopped by shore so the girls could give us more beer. We crossed the finish line and were crowned as the race winner! How could this happen? You were supposed to go around twice and since we were a little better than half as fast as the Nacra 5.2 boats we crossed right before them. Talk about some pissed people! We just laughed.

Read More Read Less

Ivy Guarise

AJ Steinke

Krystal Yvonne Quevedo

Comments:

Ivy Guarise

Thanks for the memory, Mike. Sorry you missed Dean's Memorial bash. I miss my little bro every day. Thanks for the memory, Mike. Sorry you missed Dean's Memorial bash. I miss my little bro every day. Thanks for the memory, Mike. Sorry you missed Dean's... Read more

Mike Berry

I'm content to keep my memories as they are. I'd have cried anyway. He certainly lead a storied life. ... Read more I'm content to keep my memories as they are. I'd have cried anyway. He certainly lead a storied life. ALWAYS amusing. I'm content to keep my memories as they are. I'd have... Read more

Renee Andresen

I miss you! Alot

Read More Read Less

Comments:

Ivy Guarise

❤️ ❤️ ❤️

Please consider a donation to any cause of your choice.

Learn more & give

Barbara Eastland

Shared a heart

Dennis Ross

His obit forgot about his barbershop quartet singing and excellent jugling ability. Too many stories to post.

Read More Read Less

Sasha Dudnikoff

Comments:

Renee Andresen

Yes he was entertaining 😊 Yes he was entertaining 😊 Yes he was entertaining 😊

AL KLINGER

Dean sang bass with the Denver MountainAires barbershop chorus. He and I sat next to each other so I knew... Read more Dean sang bass with the Denver MountainAires barbershop chorus. He and I sat next to each other so I knew him well. Our chorus... Read more Dean sang bass with the Denver MountainAires barbershop... Read more

David Wells

When we would go sailing with Dean AKA Sam we would always recite this nursery rhyme 1st and foremost, Permission to come aboard, after the permission was Granted or denied and a hour into the Debauchery ,

“ What do with a drunken sailor, what do with a drunken sailor early in the morning, oh ray up she raises uh ray up she rises early in the mourning,

One shot over the bow and then we are coming for the women.

Read More Read Less

Ivy Guarise

Kaitlin Rodman

Sasha Dudnikoff

Paul Cottrell

Dean was one of those people who, if you get to spend time with him, can make you feel that you are his best friend. A marvelous gift. Thanks Dean for making me feel that way and I hope you knew that you were one of my best friends.

Read More Read Less

Ivy Guarise

David Wells

Suzi Cottrell

Kaitlin Rodman

Mark Miller

Sasha Dudnikoff

Comments:

Renee Andresen

You were his best friend! You were his best friend! You were his best friend!

Paul Cottrell

2001, Maui Hawaii

Suzi’s, Cayla’s and my wedding. Happily and relieved that a GREAT time was had by all!!

Read More Read Less

Ivy Guarise

Suzi Cottrell

Comments:

David Wells

Very Cool Paul, I have never met you I. Person, Sam use to talk about you regularly, looking Foward to meeting... Read more Very Cool Paul, I have never met you I. Person, Sam use to talk about you regularly, looking Foward to meeting you on the 31st... Read more Very Cool Paul, I have never met you I. Person, Sam... Read more

Paul Cottrell

Maui, Hawaii, USA

Getting ready for a bird’s eye view of Hawaii. I think he tried to get the pilot to let him fly it.

Read More Read Less

Ivy Guarise

Suzi Cottrell

Kaitlin Rodman

Sasha Dudnikoff

Kaitlin Rodman

Comments:

Ivy Guarise

Of course he did. Of course he did. Of course he did.

David Wells

If we all know Sam like we do, he would of corrected his English and would of said your taking short cuts,... Read more If we all know Sam like we do, he would of corrected his English and would of said your taking short cuts, there is no short cuts... Read more If we all know Sam like we do, he would of corrected... Read more

Renee Andresen

I wish I could get one last dance boo.... I wish I could get one last dance boo.... I wish I could get one last dance boo....

Suzi Cottrell

So MANY years. So many memories. Too many to list. …Generous, fun, a hero in many ways, larger than life, But also so human. I hold everything in my heart until we meet again. …I’m sure you had a loud and joyous reception waiting for you when you got to heaven! Thank you for being my friend. God Bless you Dean. Until we meet again. You left the world a little happier place. 💜

Read More Read Less

Ivy Guarise

David Wells

Sasha Dudnikoff

Kaitlin Rodman

Comments:

Ivy Guarise

Thanks Suzi. Ivy Thanks Suzi. Ivy Thanks Suzi. Ivy

David Wells

Well Said , Absolutely he made a impact on every life he touched Well Said , Absolutely he made a impact on every life he touched Well Said , Absolutely he made a impact on every life... Read more

Jeffrey Maen

2019, Elks Lodge, West 26th Avenue, Denver, CO, USA

Dean in the back row looking like Dean and standing out big and tall.

Read More Read Less

Ivy Guarise

David Wells

Kaitlin Rodman

Comments:

Ivy Guarise

Thanks! What was the occasion?? Ivy Thanks! What was the occasion?? Ivy Thanks! What was the occasion?? Ivy

David Wells

Love Love Love

Kaitlin Rodman

Love how he always stood out in any crowd not just with his killer looks. But with his incredible personality... Read more Love how he always stood out in any crowd not just with his killer looks. But with his incredible personality xo love and miss... Read more Love how he always stood out in any crowd not just ... Read more

Kirk Harlan

David Wells

Kaitlin Rodman

Comments:

Kirk Harlan

More Sam at the cabin in LaConner. More Sam at the cabin in LaConner. More Sam at the cabin in LaConner.

Kirk Harlan

2018, Coeur d'Alene, ID, USA, Fidalgo Isl, WA

Some pics of Dean in Idaho and Washington

Read More Read Less

Ivy Guarise

David Wells

Comments:

Kirk Harlan

Can’t find pics from old days, didn’t have them digitized. And lost a bunch with the phones they were on ... Read more Can’t find pics from old days, didn’t have them digitized. And lost a bunch with the phones they were on unfortunately. Can’t find pics from old days, didn’t have them digitized.... Read more

Ivy Guarise

Boo. I take photos of lots of oldies, dating way back. Quality is rough but still treasures. Boo. I take photos of lots of oldies, dating way back. Quality is rough but still treasures. Boo. I take photos of lots of oldies, dating way back.... Read more

Kirk Harlan

Ivy Guarise

Sasha Dudnikoff

David Wells

Comments:

Kirk Harlan

Crab party light with crabs that Dean and I caught. Crab party light with crabs that Dean and I caught. Crab party light with crabs that Dean and I caught.... Read more

Ivy Guarise

He so enjoyed visiting you & your wife. <3 He so enjoyed visiting you & your wife. <3 He so enjoyed visiting you & your wife. <3

Kirk Harlan

Ivy Guarise

Sasha Dudnikoff

David Wells

Kaitlin Rodman

AL KLINGER

Comments:

Kirk Harlan

Sam at the cabin in LaConner. Sam at the cabin in LaConner. Sam at the cabin in LaConner.

Renee Andresen

He would get sooo tan at lake Powell I called him Stymie He would get sooo tan at lake Powell I called him Stymie He would get sooo tan at lake Powell I called him Stymie... Read more

Kirk Harlan

Ivy Guarise

Sasha Dudnikoff

David Wells

Kaitlin Rodman

Comments:

Kirk Harlan

Sam launching into sound at cabin Sam launching into sound at cabin Sam launching into sound at cabin

Kirk Harlan

Ivy Guarise

Sasha Dudnikoff

David Wells

Kirk Harlan

Ivy Guarise

Sasha Dudnikoff

David Wells

Comments:

Kirk Harlan

Sam couldn’t find the Empire State Building,”Whidby Isl bridge. Sam couldn’t find the Empire State Building,”Whidby Isl bridge. Sam couldn’t find the Empire State Building,”Whidby... Read more

Ivy Guarise

LOL - I remember this one. LOL - I remember this one. LOL - I remember this one.

Kirk Harlan

Dean had me take this pic several times because he was actually only a couple of feet off the ground so I... Read more Dean had me take this pic several times because he was actually only a couple of feet off the ground so I had to keep taking it... Read more Dean had me take this pic several times because he ... Read more

Ivy Guarise

Good job Kirk. A great illusion like Dad was always good at creating! Good job Kirk. A great illusion like Dad was always good at creating! Good job Kirk. A great illusion like Dad was always... Read more

Kirk Harlan

2018, Puget Sound, Washington, USA

Captain Sam

Read More Read Less

Ivy Guarise

David Wells

Kaitlin Rodman

Comments:

Kirk Harlan

My Son’s dog really wanted to go sailing with Dean. My Son’s dog really wanted to go sailing with Dean. My Son’s dog really wanted to go sailing with Dean.... Read more

Ivy Guarise

So beautiful! I sent you a text question last week. So beautiful! I sent you a text question last week. So beautiful! I sent you a text question last week.... Read more

Kirk Harlan

Ivy, Ivy, Ivy,

Kirk Harlan

Ivy, Ivy, Ivy,

Kirk Harlan

Ivy, this thing keeps posting before I finish! I did get the text but my email is, kirkwharlan@ymail.com.... Read more Ivy, this thing keeps posting before I finish! I did get the text but my email is, kirkwharlan@ymail.com. Ivy, this thing keeps posting before I finish! I did... Read more

Barry Bateman

I was one of his first friends in Colorado, along with Suzie Paine, Rick Longley, Dave Nelson, Mike Brackeen, Richard Lane and others. We spent many a great time together, skiing, boating, drinking and partying. Even though I moved away from Denver, we stayed in touch through good times and bad. I loved our phone conversations very much. I will miss him a lot!

Read More Read Less

Ivy Guarise

Sasha Dudnikoff

Krystal Yvonne Quevedo

Kirk Harlan

Comments:

Marianne Hansen

Dean I will always remember you for your generosity and kindness. The small group of us that used to have... Read more Dean I will always remember you for your generosity and kindness. The small group of us that used to have great times getting... Read more Dean I will always remember you for your generosity... Read more

Kirk Harlan

I remember meeting Dean in the A & P bar when he worked at Dave Cooks with Fred and we had to order beer ... Read more I remember meeting Dean in the A & P bar when he worked at Dave Cooks with Fred and we had to order beer for him because his fake... Read more I remember meeting Dean in the A & P bar when he worked... Read more

Lucy Rodman

Shared a heart

Ivy Guarise

Sasha Dudnikoff

Ivy Guarise

Krystal Yvonne Quevedo

David Wells

Comments:

Sasha Dudnikoff

Sailing on Sloans Lake Sailing on Sloans Lake Sailing on Sloans Lake

Ivy Guarise

So many photos of a full life. 💘 So many photos of a full life. 💘 So many photos of a full life. 💘

Renee Andresen

I love this picture I feel like I just got off the lake and he's waving good bye again I loved Dean and all... Read more I love this picture I feel like I just got off the lake and he's waving good bye again I loved Dean and all his buddies too I love this picture I feel like I just got off the ... Read more

Sasha Dudnikoff

Ivy Guarise

Krystal Yvonne Quevedo

David Wells

Kaitlin Rodman

Comments:

Sasha Dudnikoff

Dean in one of many Hawaiian shirts with coconut buttons. Dean in one of many Hawaiian shirts with coconut buttons. Dean in one of many Hawaiian shirts with coconut buttons.... Read more

Ivy Guarise

45 shirts by my count. 💙 45 shirts by my count. 💙 45 shirts by my count. 💙

Sasha Dudnikoff

He had me sew to repair a couple of them : ). He just was not ready to give them up. He had me sew to repair a couple of them : ). He just was not ready to give them up. He had me sew to repair a couple of them : ). He just... Read more