Richard Rozman
The valley lost a much-loved and respected man on Saturday, May 16, when Richard Rozman died of injuries sustained in a collision two days earlier. But stories and memories will lingerof the mountain-sized man with the gentle voice and generousheart. A fourth-generation resident of the valley, Richard served as water commissioner but wore many hats over his 71 years. He built and then operated Rozman’s Motor Lodge for many years and for most of his life helped run the Rozman family ranch with brothers John and Rudy. Beyond his occupations,he’ll be remembered as a loving husband, father, brother, uncle and friend.The middle of three brothers, Richard stood 6’4” – “but he had the softest voice and softest laugh,” recalled one niece. “He was a quiet, kind man who gave big hugs.” Another niece described him as “the gentle giant who touched so many lives.” Richard’s grandparent s homesteaded their land south of Crested Butte. Born to John L. and Mary (Sedmak) Rozman on May 24, 1943, Richard grew up on the ranch After graduating from the Crested Butte High School in 1961, he earned an undergraduate degree and then a master’s in education administration from Western State College. He taught in Las Vegas for a number of years before moving back to Crested Butte. With his brothers and good friend Jim Cole, Richard builtRozman’s Motor Lodge on Whiterock Avenue in 1973 and then managed the motel and restaurant. It became a popular gathering place, in part because of Richard’s easy, teasing banter and slow-smoked baby back ribs. ichard met Donna Sisson when she came to work for the motel, and the two married n 1980. They had two sons, William John (“BJ”) and Thomas R. (“Tommy”). arious members of the extended Rozman and Sisson families worked at the motel and restaurant over the years. Many of Richard’s nieces and nephews fondly remember coming to spend summers in Crested Butte. With their good-natureduncle Richard, they would throw rocks in the river, build fires to ake s’mores or shoot off model rockets. Nieces Grace and Nola, who grew up in the house tucked ar back on the Rozman ranch, remember bundling up in their heavy winter gear to walk to Donna and Richard’s house near the highway. There they would warm up and perhaps shed some layers before catching the bus to school. In 1995, Richard completed the current family house on the Rozman property, doing most ofthe construction work himself. When their youngest son graduated from high school, Richard encouraged Donna to pursue her interest in ceramics, and he maintained the household while she earned her master’s degree. During and after her studies, they traveled together inSlovenia, Hungary and Mexico. Richard briefly sold real estate before becoming a water commissioner, which involved checking the irrigation ditches, overseeing water usage and addressing water rights issues. Frank Kugel, general manager of the Upper Gunnison River Water Conservancy District, described Richard as “a remarkably charming and caring human being” and told this story about him: “R chard was unmatched in his passion for water in the Upper Gunnison basin. He worked nights, weekends and holidays for his water users and was always willing to seek solutionsto water problems. One time at his home, Richard had just gotten out of the shower and was standing in his underwear when an angry water user stormed into his bathroom. Nonplussed as usual, Richard let he man vent and then calmly promised to look at the irrigation ditch after he got dressed.” Over his lifetime, Richard watched the valley change from small mining town to ski resort,but he remained open and welcoming to newcomers. Though he could don a gruff demeanor, that didn’t hide the twinkle in his eye or his obvious good-heartedness. A teacher, businessman, builder, rancher and sportsman, Richard was both multi-talented and humble. He loved teasing nd humor, often self-deprecating. Though generous and jovial, he was also a private man. Throughout his life, he remained close to his brothers and dedicated to his extended family.Ric ard is survived by his wife Donna; sons BJ and Tommy; an uncle, Ed Rozman, and aunt, Julie Guire; brothers John(Marilyn) and Rudy (Lois); and numerous nieces and nephews,including Nola (Dan) Oberosler of Crested Butte. A funeral mass will be held Tuesday, May 26, at 10 a.m. at Queen of All Saints Catholic Church, followed by burial at the Crested Butte Cemetery. Friends and family are invited to gather afterward at the Parish Hall. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Crested But te Mountain Her i tageMuseum for their efforts to preserve the history of Crested Butte.
