Maleham Cluett Black

Maleham Cluett Black, 82, of Boulder, Colorado, died December 19, 2023, of heart complications at Canyon Skilled Nursing Center in Boulder.

Memorial Services, St. John's Episcopal Church, 1419 Pine Street, Boulder, CO 80302, on Sat., April 20, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. A reception will follow the service at the church.

The son of the late Regina Maleham Black and Robert C. Black III, he was born May 9, 1941, in Denver, Colorado. When he was five, the family moved to Troy, New York, where his father was a history professor. But most of his childhood was spent in West Hartford, Connecticut, while his father taught history at Trinity College in Hartford. He attended Beach Park Elementary, Kingwood Middle School, and Taft School in Watertown, Connecticut. He studied at the University of Hartford, Georgetown University, and the University of Colorado, Boulder.

Maleham is survived by his wife, Martha Sue Pullin-Black (Boulder), their son, Andrew Maleham Black and his husband Connor Penhale (Arvada), his siblings: Robert Clifford Black IV (Jeanine) of Winona, Minnesota, Beatrice Black Hoverstock of Boulder, John Neville Black (Linda) of Gunbarrel), Peter Nathaniel Black (Josie) of Louisville, James Alexander Black (Lisa) of Bradenton, Florida, and numerous nieces and nephews. 

Maleham was an aviator, teaching private, commercial, instrument, aerobatic, and glider students. Most of his career was at Boulder Municipal Airport, but he also taught at the former Jeffco Airport and sometimes flew to student locations to teach. He was co-owner of The Cloud Dancer, an aerobatic school. He instilled in his students safe and logical flying skills. Other instructors often sent students to Maleham because he was a persistent instructor, rarely giving up on a student. Years after he retired, former students continued to call him to thank him, ask for advice or just to visit. 

After aviation, Maleham loved history, language, opera, trains, and target shooting. He had many interests and was self-educated on many subjects. 

Due to childhood polio, he was unable to serve in the U. S. Air Force, as he would have liked. He had other health challenges which he overcame, including melanoma and lymphoma. These conditions contributed to the weakening of his heart.  

Contributions: St. John’s Episcopal Church, 1419 Pine St., Boulder, CO 80302, or to Rocky Mountain Cancer Center,4715 Arapahoe Ave. Boulder, CO. 80303.