Stephen Paul Poulsen

“A Hero’s Life”

Stephen Paul Poulsen was born March 18, 1946 in Pittsfield, MA to George Poulsen and Mary Janet Poulsen. Steve moved with his family, including his only sibling & younger sister Kristen Poulsen to Rome, Georgia when he was 12 years old.

Steve graduated from Darling High School in Rome Georgia and later attended many of their reunions with classmates. In 1970, he graduated from Georgia Tech with a degree in electrical engineering after completing an internship with the CIA. After graduation Steve was drafted into the Army from 1970-73, earning a bronze star for bravery in Vietnam and was awarded the Vietnamese Cross of gallantry with Palm Unit Citation.

After Vietnam, Steve moved to Colorado in 1974 and made his home in Nederland, Colorado where he enjoyed his life with many of his 2 & 4 legged friends. Steve worked as an electrical engineer with Ball Aerospace and McData until his retirement in the early 2000’s.

Steve was an avid mountaineer climbing many notable peaks including Denali & Cho Oyu and got close to the summit of Everest, but was turned back due to a storm. Steve also climbed many other prominent peaks in both north & south America. He enjoyed scuba diving all around the world and taught adaptive scuba to the disabled. He also taught adaptive skiing at Ignite Adaptive Sports at Eldora Mountain Resort for 8 years. Steve also enjoyed hiking, cycling and was a member of the Motor Cycle Tour Bikes where he received the “Iron Butt Association Award”.

Most notably, Steve was a volunteer at Rocky Mountain Rescue (RMR) for almost 50 years, responding to hundreds of missions for lost & injured hikers and was instrumental in locating and rescuing 20 passengers in a mountain snow storm after the crash of Rocky Mountain Airways flight 217 in 1978.

Steve also volunteered at Indian Peaks Wilderness Alliance/Forest Service, Colorado Mountain Club, Nederland Fire Department, and at Rocky Mountain National Park for 12 years, giving 2747 hours of volunteer time at the Wild Basin & Longs Peak ranger stations (he climbed longs peak 50+ times) and was part of their sled dawgs group.

Steve Poulsen was a hero who gave his time and talent unselfishly to many! We will miss you Steve!!

Steve was preceded in death by his parents George & Mary O’Boyle Poulsen, as well as his younger sister Kristin Poulsen.

In lieu of flowers, please contribute to one of Steve’s many charities or another outdoor charity of your choice.

Viewing will take place at Crist Mortuary, 3455 Penrose Place in Boulder on Saturday February 10, 2024 from 10 am to noon and Steve will be interred at Ft. Logan Veterans Cemetery in Denver with full military honors next Tuesday February 13, 2024 at 1230. 4400 W KENYON AVE, DENVER, CO 80030.