William "Bill" Yurth

Bill was born May 10, 1929 in Cleveland, Ohio, to Alexander and Francis Yurth.

He graduated from high school in 1952 and immediately joined the Navy to “get off the farm” and see the world.

His test scores being among the highest in his class, he was sent to the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, but after training as a submarine operator and discovering he was claustrophobic, he resigned before graduating in 1953.

He then attended Ohio State University, working his way through college at a chemical company and spending his summers working on ore boats on the Great Lakes, putting some of his Naval training to work.

After graduating with a degree in geology, he worked briefly for Cities Service Co. in Oklahoma before being hired by Gulf Oil, where he worked as a geologist in Maracaibo, Venezuela; Houston, Texas; Boise, Idaho; Toronto, Canada, and Denver, Colorado. He retired from Gulf Oil in the 1980s to form Impact Energy, an exploration consulting firm. He enjoyed the next decade of his life in oil exploration, consulting, and successful investing.

While working in Venezuela, he met Esther Ferretti, who was teaching at the international school there. They were married in 1956.

Bill and Esther thought they would peacefully retire on the Pinehurst Golf Course in Denver but were recruited to Boulder in 1995 to help care for and become an integral part of the lives of their 7 grandchildren. They remained in Boulder as steadfast supporters at all the grandkids’ sporting events, plays and graduations.

Bill loved the outdoors and enjoyed rockhounding, fishing, skiing, and hiking. An avid hiker well into his eighties, he climbed 31 of the 14,000-foot peaks in Colorado.

He was a great father and an even better grandfather. It is often said that the innocence of animals and babies recognizes true love and Bill had an amazing way with both.

His last advice to his family was “Don’t be afraid to use your smile,” meaning that your ability to form truly good relationships is what opens up opportunities in this life.

He is survived by three daughters: Cynthia Yurth (Eric Swanson) of Chinle, Arizona; Dr. Elizabeth Yurth (David Van Bussum) of Boulder; Brenda Groenwald (Dan) of Boulder; and seven grandchildren: Sarah Groenwald, Courtney Van Bussum, Zach Groenwald, Ryan Van Bussum, Alex Van Bussum, Tessa Van Bussum, and Jason Van Bussum.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Esther; his parents and five siblings: Joseph Yurth, Alex Yurth, Mike Yurth, George Yurth and Theresa Balog

Services are pending.