Richard (“Dick”) Karl Erdmann passed away with loving family by his side on March 18th, 2024 in Denver, Colorado. Dick was born on April 1st, 1937, in Geneva, Ohio ,to parents Frederick and Frances Erdmann. He has one younger brother, Jack Erdmann.  Dick was always an active person, lifeguarding, caddying and playing football at Geneva High School. He developed a lifelong appreciation for music as a budding trombonist in his youth.

Dick attended Kenyon College, majoring in mathematics and graduating in 1959. During this period, the men of Kenyon mingled with the women of nearby Lake Erie College. This is how he met his life partner, Christina (“Christy”) Gesell Gillmer. They married and settled in Cleveland, Ohio, where Dick worked at Republic Steel. Their two children, Thomas and Lisa Erdmann, were born in Cleveland.

Shortly thereafter, Dick pursued a career in computer programming with Air Products in Allentown, Pennsylvania and the family relocated. On the cusp of the information technology age, and following a keen interest in mathematics and computers, Dick obtained his Masters degree at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, in 1969. In the early 1970s, the family relocated to Gaithersburg, Maryland, as Dick took a job with General Electric as a computer systems analyst. He ended his professional career with a final move to Alpharetta, Georgia, working for IBM.

Dick and Christy were fortunate to be able to travel to many parts of the world including Europe, Alaska and visits to Africa, Madagascar, and Nepal while following the adventures of their children. In retirement, Dick and Christy moved to the Denver, Colorado area to be closer to their daughter's family.

Affable, open, and liberal-minded, Dick easily adapted to a new community and western living, and embraced his Colorado life. He completed a master gardener’s class and volunteered at Roxborough State Park, maintaining trails and leading hiking groups. He joined a hiking club and climbed a couple 14,000 foot peaks in the area including, Mt. Sherman. Dick was civic-minded and was involved in fire mitigation efforts as part of the Roxborough Park HOA. In addition, he used his natural mathematical skills to volunteer with AARP, helping many people to file their tax forms.

Family was important to Dick. He frequently visited his in-laws in the Annapolis, Maryland, area on the Chesapeake Bay, catching crabs and fish, and boating. He took grandparenting seriously, spending ample amounts of time with his three grandchildren in Colorado, and visiting his two grandsons in Maryland (and once in Madagascar) as often as time allowed. He made a point to attend and follow his grandchildren’s interests and ceremonies, including sports events, rehearsals and graduations. Always quick witted, Dick entertained family with word plays, puns and corny jokes.

 Dick and Christy made their final move to the Windcrest Senior Living Community in Highlands Ranch, Colorado. Again, Dick became actively involved in the community, taking continuing education classes, participating in a resident advisory committee, and even whole heartedly taking up pickleball.  The only times that Dick was not active was when he relaxed and followed his favorite Colorado sports teams and other professional sports.

Dick is survived by his wife, Christina Gesell Erdmann, brother, Jack Erdmann, children, Tom Erdmann and Lisa Hann, and grandchildren, Gabriel Erdmann, Thierno Erdmann, Carson Hann, Tessa Hann and Benjamin Hann.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to either of these causes in Dick’s name:

Colorado Parks and Wildlife https://cpw.state.co.us/about…

American Cancer Society https://donate.cancer.org

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