Gordon H. Van Sickle

Gordon grew up on a dairy farm in Manzanola, Colorado with his younger brother, Vernon, and sister, Joyce. He attended Manzanola Elementary where his mother was the kindergarten teacher, and he attended Manzanola Junior/Senior High School. He showed farm animals in 4H and played football, basketball, baseball, and participated in track and field for his Bobcats! Additionally, he served as the Class President, wrote for the school paper, acted in the school plays, and worked on the year book before he graduated in 1956. He then attended and played basketball at Colorado School of Mines in Golden, CO.

After taking a break from school to serve in the Army for 6 months and 4 years in the Army Reserves, he graduated from the Colorado School of Mines in 1961 with a degree in Geology. He traveled working for the United States Geological Survey (USGS). In 1967, he went to work for and eventually became a partner with the Geological Fire Assay Laboratory called Skyline Labs where he worked until its eventual sale in 1994. He was mostly retired except for a little consulting in Panama and a few small jobs to stay busy and active.

He met his future wife, Nelva Ten Elshof on a blind date in 1970. They fell in love and eloped in Reno, Nevada June 3, 1972. Shortly after, they settled into a home in Lakewood, Colorado where they have lived the past 45 years and developed a strong network of wonderful neighbors and friends.

Gordon has attended Bronco games since 1960 but he was equally devoted to his family. His greatest enjoyment came from doing things for and with his family- his wife, children, grandchildren; playing chauffer, baking cookies and birthday cakes, and cheering on the sidelines. Gordon is survived by his wife, Nelva Van Sickle. Together, they have three sons: Scott (Shasta) Van Sickle, Brent (Michelle) Van Sickle, and Michael Van Sickle; and four grandchildren; Ashley, Samantha, Skylar, and Peyton. Gordon and Nelva also cared for 50 foster babies from 1983 to 1994 until they found their forever family, or their forever family found them. The baby reunions have brought Gordon and Nelva great joy!

A visitation for Gordon will be held on Thursday, October 19, 2017 from 6pm to 8 pm. The funeral service will be held at Olinger Crown Hill located at 7777 W. 29th Ave, Wheat Ridge, Colorado 80033 on Friday, October 20, 2017 at 2pm with Burial at Olinger Crown Hill Cemetery to follow. A reception follows in the reception center at Olinger Crown Hill. Gordon was a life-long Bronco fan. We invite you to join the family in your Bronco orange and blue or casual attire.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Colorado School of Mines. Donations to: Mines Basketball Foundation giving.mines.edu/s/840/start_foundation.aspx please specify Mines Basketball Foundation Account # 628808.

Arrangements under the direction of Olinger Crown Hill Mortuary, Cemetery & Arboretum, Wheat Ridge, CO.