Carl Andrew Lepisto

Services will be at 2 p.m. May 9 at Redlands United Methodist Church.

Dr. Lepisto was a retired ophthalmologist.

Survivors include wife Eileen, son Christopher of Grand Junction, daughter Gretchen Rierson of Highlands Ranch, and two grandchildren.

Carl Andrew Lepisto

August 18, 1939 - April 22, 2014

Carl Andrew Lepisto passed away peacefully Tuesday, April 22, at home in Grand Junction after a brief illness with ALS.

Carl was born August 18, 1939, in Sudbury, Ontario to Rev. Mathew and Mary Lepisto. He grew up in Albuquerque and graduated from Highland High School. Graduating in 1961 from Midland University in Fremont, Nebraska, he then served in the Navy from 1962-1965. While doing research work, he met his wife, Eileen, who moved to Albuquerque where Carl attended the University of New Mexico School of Medicine where he also took his internship. Children, Christopher and Gretchen, were born during his time at University of Colorado Medical Center Ophthalmology Residency Program from where he graduated in 1974.

In 1975 he moved to Grand Junction where he practiced for 28 years. Growing up with financial hardship, Carl had a strong work ethic. This showed in his personal life as well as his profession. He had a passion for medicine, loved his patients and the challenges of ophthalmology, always attending seminars on the latest techniques of eye surgery. Teaching medical residents was also important to him.

After retirement and wanting to continue his love of medicine, he and Eileen moved to Saudi Arabia for a year and a half where Carl worked at King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital in Riyadh, teaching ophthalmology residents. Carl and Eileen then moved to Tasmania where he continued his teaching at the Medical College of Tasmania.

Carl was active in the Mesa County and Colorado Medical Societies with an interest in health care reform. He was president of the county society and on the Colorado Medical Society Council on Ethical and Judicial Affairs.

Interested in supporting his community, he served as secretary-treasurer of the Hilltop Community Resources Board and on the Retirement Services Board. Additionally he served at Denver's Iliff School of Theology as a trustee.

Carl was active in the Redlands United Methodist Church where he sang bass in the choir. Enjoying architectural work, he co-chaired the church building committee, designed his medical office and along with his wife drafted their solar adobe home. He also was building a shop to work on classic and antique cars. Loving the outdoors, he spent time at the family mountain cabin and helped to construct Lake Lepisto.

Carl deeply loved his family and, unasked, would quickly bring out his wallet family photos at any opportunity. He is survived by his wife, Eileen; son, Christopher of Grand Junction; daughter, Gretchen (Paul) Rierson of Highlands Ranch, and two grandchildren.

All are welcome to attend a service Friday, May 9, at 2:00 p.m. at Redlands United Methodist Church, with a reception following.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Redlands United Methodist Church at 527 Village Way, Hilltop Community Resources at 1331 Hermosa Ave. or a charity of your choice .

Published in The Daily Sentinel on May 4, 2014