Richard Chapman Meckley

Richard Chapman "Dick" Meckley of Boulder passed away peacefully on Feb. 13, 2016 at the age of 92 after a short, fierce battle with an infection. A Private family graveside service will be held at Green Mountain Cemetery in Boulder with military honors being provided by the United States Air Force. A memorial service will follow at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 20 at St. Aidan's Episcopal Church, 2425 Colorado Ave., Boulder, followed by a gathering in the parish hall. He will be profoundly missed by the many close friends he held dear and the countless people who were touched by having known and worked with him to make the world an even better place than the one he was born into. Dick was born on Dec. 2, 1923 to Henry Harrison and Mary (Brenneman) Meckley in Elyria, Ohio. After graduating from Elyria High School, he turned his gaze west and was accepted into the University of Colorado Boulder class of 1941. He enrolled in the Navy R.O.T.C. program at CU in 1941 and served as a bomber pilot in the U.S. Army Air Force from February 1943 through November 1946. He served in the U.S. Air Force active reserve until October 1961, retiring as captain. He also served as a member of the National Defense Executive Reserve. After returning from active duty, Dick went back to CU, graduating in 1949 with a BA in economics and political science, serving as chapter president of Sigma Nu fraternity. He married Donna Isabel Robinson on June 14, 1949 at St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Denver. Dick's professional career began in July 1949 as a runner with the First National Bank of Denver and by 1963 he had risen to vice president. He was charged with opening the bank's first affiliate, in Northglenn, where he served as executive vice president from 1963 to 1965. He opened a second affiliate, in Bear Valley, and served in the same capacity until he was named president and CEO of the National State Bank in Boulder when it became a member of the First National Bank Corp. in 1971. Dick served on the boards of First National in Southglenn and the U.S. Bank of Grand Junction, and as an advisory director for the corporation. The banks later underwent name changes, first to Intrawest Banks, then Intrawest Bancorp. Dick retired as chairman and CEO of Intrawest Bancorp Boulder in July 1986. Early in his career, Dick's desire to be of service led not only to his military duties, but also his membership in and vice-presidency of Sertoma (Service to Mankind). Upon returning to Boulder in 1971, he served residents of the area not only through his banking activities but as a committee member and board chairman of numerous organizations. At CU, Dick served as a member of the advisory committee for the Department of Economics, the Alumni Director's Club and the Alumni "C" Club for former student athletes, having lettered in football in 1941-42. He served as co-chair of the class of '49 50th reunion and received a Boulder Area Alumni Community Service award in 1985. He was a past chair and a longtime member of Boulder Rotary; the Boulder Chamber ofCommerce; the Chautauqua Association; Junior Achievement; the Boulder County Mental Health Center Foundation; and Boulder Community Hospital. He was chair of the Boulder County Hospice capital campaign 1998-99 and board treasurer of Frasier Meadows Manor. Clear-minded, compassionate and decisive, Dick was chosen by voters to serve on the Boulder City Council from 1980 to 81. He also was a commissioner and chairman of the City of Boulder Housing Authority 1974-79. Dick's life of service was driven by his deep faith. He was very involved in his church communities in Denver and Boulder, serving as junior warden, treasurer and vestryman at St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Denver, and later as vestryman, senior warden and chair of the endowment fund at St. Aidan's Episcopal Church in Boulder. Dick and Donna were thankful to be able to travel extensively. Throughout his life Dick was an avid lover of the outdoors. Wanting to share this passion with underserved youth, he was honored to serve on the board of the Cal-Wood Education Center near Jamestown, Colo., and as board member and trustee of its parent organization, the Pilot Trust. Dick loved walking and biking the trails of Boulder County, often with family or buddies. He also drove the streets as a long-time Meals on Wheels volunteer. He not only enjoyed keeping the family's lovely home in top shape, but also swung a hammer for many projects with Habitat For Humanity of Boulder Valley, on whose board he served. A great lover of music of all kinds, he served on the boards of the Colorado Music Festival and Boulder Philharmonic. Devoted husband, father and grandfather, Dick is survived by his beloved wife of 66 years Donna; son Don and his wife Rose Parisi; daughter Diana and her husband Charles Powell; granddaughter Emery Isabel Meckley Powell; niece Mary Lou and her husband, Jack Golski; two great nieces, Sarah and Jessica Golski; and five great nephews, John, David, James, Jeff and Sean Meckley. Dick was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Henry Meckley, Jr.; and three nephews, Charles (Chuck,) James (Jim) and John Meckley. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Dick's honor to: St. Aidan's Episcopal Church, staidans.org or 2425 Colorado Ave., Boulder, 80302; the University of Colorado Foundation Richard Meckley Graduate Fellowship; and Cal-Wood Education Center, calwood.org or P.O. Box 347, Jamestown, CO, 80455 (please specify "Bunkhouse Fund.") 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