Marvin J Sparn

Marvin James Sparn, aged 93, passed away on Sunday, May 19, 2024, from congestive heart failure. Known to friends as Marv, he was a Colorado native, born in Denver on June 24, 1930, to Albert and Elsie (Haberl) Sparn (also a Denver native). Marv had a sister, Suzanne (Sparn) Bundy, and a half-brother, Albert Sparn Jr., both of whom preceded him in death.

Raised in North Denver, Marv graduated from North High School in 1948 and attended the Colorado School of Mines before being drafted into the Korean War. He attended Officer’s Candidate School and served as an artillery training officer near Chicago. Marv married Esther (Franzen) Sparn on January 21, 1951; they divorced in 1981. They had three children: Mark, Michele (Ely), and Marla (Meehl). Marv married Yvonne (Rintala) on May 28, 1988. Both Esther and Yvonne preceded him in death. Utilizing the GI Bill, Marv attended the University of Colorado, graduating with a BS in Architectural Engineering/Architecture in 1957/1959. His career in architecture began with his presidency of the Student Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) at the University of Colorado. While in that leadership position, he arranged for Frank Lloyd Wright’s campus visit, thus foreshadowing his lifelong dedication to the architectural profession.

Marv was a recognized architect in Colorado and a Fellow of the AIA. He was honored as a ‘Living Treasure’ for his extensive involvement in the AIA and the architectural profession. Marv served as the Treasurer and President of the Colorado North Chapter of the AIA, holding each position twice. He was also a former President of AIA Colorado and a former Treasurer of the AIA Western Mountain Region (WMR). Marv was elected as Regional Director for the WMR Board of Directors.

A founding member and former Chairman, Marv was a long-standing active participant on the AIA Colorado Governmental Affairs Committee. He served as Chair of the AIA Colorado Legislative Subcommittee and the Education Fund Board of Trustees. Additionally, Marv coordinated the AIA Colorado Education Fund's Devon M. Carlson Lectureship and co-chaired the AIA Colorado Fellowship Task Force. Beyond his professional accomplishments, Marv was active in his community. He participated in the YMCA Men’s Club and founded the YMCA Senior Citizen Cultural Event Transportation Program. He also served as the President of the Boulder Pow-Wow Rodeo and Community Festival.

Marv and Yvonne loved to travel and spend time with their friends and family throughout the country and world. Marv loved cars and driving and had an amazing sense of direction. Though his first car was a Ford, he quickly converted to Chryslers and steadfastly stuck with Chrysler products for the rest of his life. Marv was a lifetime CU Buffalo football and Women’s basketball season ticket holder and ardent Buff fan and loved all things buffalo from his belt buckle to his coin collections.

Marv is survived by his three children: Mark Sparn (Gwen) of Boulder, CO; Michele Ely (Mike) of Avondale, AZ; and Marla Meehl (Gerald) of Boulder, CO. He leaves behind three grandchildren: Jennifer Sheets (Brian), Megan Kulp (Aaron), and Ben Ely (Samantha); and six great-grandchildren: Avery Sheets, Clay Sheets, Carter Kulp, Elyse Kulp, Raven Ely, and Zosia Ely.

He is also survived by three step-children: Michele Rintala Gisness (Jim) of Wheat Ridge, CO; Gregory Rintala (Ellen Stanley) of Scottsdale, AZ; and Terry Rintala (Laura) of Boulder, CO. Additionally, Marv leaves behind five step-grandchildren: Gia Rintala Witmer (Jeremy), Jamie Rintala [deceased], Bryson Rintala (Kristin), Natalie Gisness, Derek Gisness [deceased] (Holly), Janie Rintala Wrenn (Chase); and seven step-great-grandchildren: Codie Witmer, Caelen Rintala, Mhari Rintala, Maiya Witmer, Sienna Gisness, Amalie Rintala, and Ryder Gisness.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, June 21, at 3pm at the CU Koenig Alumni Center, Koenig Alumni Center, 1202 University Ave, Boulder, CO 80302. Donations can be made to TRU Hospice (https://www.trucare.org/), Rocky Mountain Conservancy (https://rmconservancy.org/), or Mayo Clinic (https://philanthropy.mayoclinic.org/donateMC). The family wishes to thank the Balfour Lavender Farms and TRU Hospice caregivers who cared for Marv in his final years and days with amazing and enduring patience and kindness.