Edwin W. Peiker Jr.

Ed Peiker died on Monday, June 3rd surrounded by his family, he was 81 years old. A memorial service will be held on Friday, June 7th at 3:00 pm at St. Aidan’s Episcopal Church at 2425 Colorado Avenue, Boulder CO. A reception will follow in the Church Hall.

He was born on November 10, 1931 in Denver Colorado where he grew up and graduated from South High School in 1950. Ed attended the Colorado School of Mines and graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Geology. After graduating, Ed spent time as a second Lieutenant in the US Army and served in Germany. Newly stateside, Ed took on a faculty position at the University of Colorado in the Engineering department. Once there, he rekindled an old friendship, fanned the flames, and took a bride, Sue Carswell, whom he had known while studying at the School of Mines. With a new family to support, Ed worked days at CU and studied in the evenings to earn Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Civil Engineering and complete coursework for a PhD.

With a growing brood, Ed went to work in the mining industry and had a long and successful career. Early on, he spent years working for AMAX developing global Molybdenum deposits. Later in his career, like many, he was “downsized” and became an “independent consultant.” He worked through tough times and culminated his career as the COO of Royal Gold. In his many years in the mining industry, Ed travelled far and wide, visiting over 80 countries and all 7 continents. One highlight was after the opening of China to trade relations with the United States, Ed was one of the first business representatives to work to develop relations. On his many travels to China, he used to take an entire suitcase of Polaroid film to take pictures of the children and people he met to leave with them as gifts. This was so well received that Polaroid made a commercial of the story. During his travels, he also amassed an awesome airline silverware collection and was able to bequeath his grandchildren an impressive currency collection.

Ed enjoyed living and raising a family in Colorado. He often spent free time with the family in the out of doors un-tying knotted fishing line, carrying children on numerous hiking trails, warming cold feet in ski lodges, and otherwise adventuring in the Ford Ranch Wagon. He even found time to climb a good many of Colorado’s Fourteeners.

A walk through the back yard from the root cellar to the working, full scale, mining railroad is a testament to Ed’s many interests and passions including geology, mining, Colorado history, and railroads. Over the years, the backyard also hosted a menagerie including ducks, geese, chickens, dogs, cats, turtles, rabbits, and an odd guinea hen. Away from home, Ed was involved in a variety of charitable activities including donating time at the Colorado State Capital, the Colorado Historical Society, and the Railroad Museum. He was also an active supporter of the Colorado School of Mines and the Colorado Symphony Orchestra.

Ed is survived by his wife Sue and his three children William of Firestone CO (Karen), Helen of Lafayette CO, Greg of Sammamish WA (Michelle) and four grandchildren (William Jr., Berkley, Gordon, and Audrey)

In lieu of flowers, donations could be made to the Alzheimers Association , Colorado Historical Society, Colorado School of Mines, or Family Hospice.