Richard Hatcher Hotze

Oct. 7, 1943--Sept. 3, 2010

FORT COLLINS, Colorado -- Richard Hatcher Hotze was born Oct. 7, 1943, in McCook, Nebraska, to Helen and Clarence Hotze. He passed away Sept. 3, 2010, after a courageous year long battle with heart failure. He leaves behind his beloved wife, Margaret; their three daughters and families: Kathryn and Michael Greiner, Rachel, Katie and Joshua; Patricia and Doug Carmichael, Hannah, Nate, and Aaron; Elizabeth and Joe Bartell, Jake, Mira, and Ava; his mother, Helen Hotze; sisters, Maureen Bowles and Joelene Hotze; nieces, Colleen Rodin and Susan Dahir and their families; and Joelene's family, Gabrielle, Michael, and Sascha; and special long-time friends Bill Lentz, Henry Krous, Don Yohan, and Dave Witham; and many others who will miss him.

Rich met his wife, Margaret Ellen Ludington, on a Methodist Mission Tour to the Southwest in 1961, and they were married two years later on Aug. 31, 1963. They had just celebrated 47 years together.

Rich loved athletics at all levels and, while in high school in Indianola, Nebraska, participated in basketball, football, baseball and track, holding long standing state records in the shot and discus, and lettering in track at the University of Nebraska. He received his bachelor's and master's degree in mathematics from the University of Nebraska and went on to teach math for six years at North Dakota State University in Fargo. It was while in Fargo that he became an avid cyclist, which he continued for many years. He left North Dakota to begin his career as a stock broker with Dean Witter in Albuquerque, New Mexico and subsequently moved to Fort Collins in 1974 where he worked for several firms, retiring from Stifel Nicolaus in 2006.

Rich was active at First United Methodist Church, serving as chair of the administrative board and one of the founders of the foundation committee. He enjoyed the fellowship of his Sunday school class, the men's breakfast group, and the Sunday morning coffee hour. He was involved with Northern Colorado Koinonia and served as treasurer for many years. He was also a long-time member of the Fort Collins Lion's Club, served on the Lion's Foundation, and thoroughly enjoyed his office as "Tail-twister."

Rich relished life; he loved family gatherings and getting together with friends, meeting new people, traveling, and finding "treasures" in odd places. He never forgot his Nebraska roots and always cheered for the Cornhuskers. He collected all kinds of things from raccoons to red glassware, pens to paperweights, neckties to knives, tie-dye shirts to stamps. He was passionate about politics, economics, the stock market, history, gardening, and he enjoyed fishing and hunting.

Rich said thanks to God for a wonderful life, for family and friends. He wanted to express his thanks to all the physicians and health care professionals who provided excellent and compassionate care during his illness. He wanted to leave us with this advice: "Never underestimate your ability to have a positive impact."

Memorial services are Tuesday, 3 p.m., at First United Methodist Church, 1005 Stover Street, Fort Collins, Colorado. A reception will follow immediately after the service.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church Foundation or to the Lion's Foundation in care of Allnutt Funeral Service, 650 W. Drake Road, Fort Collins, CO, 80526.

To sign the family guestbook or to send online condolences visit www.allnutt.com.

Allnutt Funeral Service of Fort Collins is in charge of the arrangements