Louis Boyden Joline

Here’s to a life well lived!!

Louis was born in Denver, Colorado to Ethel and Benjamin “Everett” Joline. As a child his family spent winters on the Eastern seaboard where his father worked. He summered with his older brother Everett junior at his grandmother’s ranch in Shawnee Colorado. They had many adventures, and this would mark the beginning of his love affair with the Rocky Mountains. Later, he would share his love during family vacations tent camping at the base of many mountains and leading us to the summit of many of the “fourteeners”.

After graduating from Montclair High School (New Jersey) in 1951, he was drafted into the Army and spent 2 years in Korea as a forward observer in the artillery. After Korea, he entered Yale University and graduated in 1958 with a degree in architecture. Louis spent the bulk of his career working in Data Processing. He would meet the love of his life, Sonja Hughes, and they were married in Kansas City, December 29,1962. They would settle at Lake Tapawingo , Missouri, and raised twin daughters, Lisa (Goppert) Fletcher and Shelly (Lintner) Joline.

Lou had several hobbies, but there are two that stand apart from the rest: sailing and running. Lou and Sonja would go on to compete together and win the Sweet Sixteen Sailing National Championship 12 times. They were also competitive in the Snipe Sailing Fleet where they would travel and compete with sailors from all over the country. Lou’s passion for sailing could only be trumped by his passion for running. Lou was the president of the Kansas City Track Club for 10 years and was also very active in the Blue Springs Running Club and Mid America Running Association. He directed many races, the most successful of which was the Brew-to-Brew Relay which he directed for 20 years before passing it on to younger club members. Lou ran over 133 marathons and ultra-marathons completing one in every state. His favorite runs were the Leadville 100 and the Pikes Peak Marathon/Half Marathon which he competed in 13 times. He won his age group for the 70-74 year old’s multiple times. He and his running tribe would caravan to Manitou Springs, stay in a Hostel for 1 month to train and compete in these runs. He was our mentor, our inspiration, and our hero. This anonymous poem defines him well.

THE RUNNERS' HIGH

It's no longer sport,

no longer just a game.

It has become a way of life.

Every breath is a stride,

Every heartbeat a string of silence.

It is a compulsion from deep within.

It is a passion for glory.

To go through the torment.

To last through the waiting.

To gain that one moment,

alone with myself.

And only the few, who chance to strive,

can know the experience.

To hear nothing but breath.

To feel nothing but heartbeat.

To feel so much like hell,

running so close to heaven.

This is the Runners' High.

This is the feeling I live for.

This is the goal I strive toward.

If my chance disappears, part of my life would end.

Lou was preceded in death by his wife Sonja Hughes Joline and he leaves behind his sister Wendy, daughters Shelly and Lisa, and 6 grandchildren: Brittany Lintner Cole, Henry Goppert, Heather Lintner, Claire Goppert Brown, Kelsey Lintner Grice and Jessica Lintner. He also leaves 3 great grandchildren: Norah Cole, Everett Cole, and Mason Grice.