Gabriel B. Kalousek

Gabriel Benjamin Kalousek, 36, died unexpectedly in December of 2024. Born and raised in Westminster, CO, Gabriel is an assistant attorney general with the Colorado office of the Attorney General, Behavioral Health Services Unit. Gabe loved the law, and worked at several different types of law to choose the one that suited him best.

With a B.S. in Business/Finance from CSU, he graduated from University of Wyoming Law School with honors and several Dean’s letters for earning the top grade in several classes. In a semester abroad at the University of Essex, England he also earned top grades in finance/ economics. In college, he worked as a legal intern with the Ball Corporation; a legislative fellow with Senator Irene Aguilar; a researcher with the USDA Center for Emerging Issues; and interned with an Adams County judge.

He worked briefly at a small law firm, but loved the trial work as a Deputy District Attorney in Pueblo. After a few years he changed to a private workman’s comp firm in Fort Collins, where he loved the complexity of the medical cases and negotiation. He then worked as a Weld County Assistant District Attorney, and finally joined the Office of the Attorney General as an assistant attorney general in the Behavioral Services unit, where he found his legal home.

In 2018, Gabe married the love of his life, Peipei Gong, a brilliant native Chinese woman quickly welcomed into our entire family. In their free time, they traveled extensively to explore the

world.

Gabe was noted for his kindness and tenderness to all. In court, he treated everyone with dignity and respect, even in aggressive trials in which the defendant confessed on the stand. This is a trait he showed at the tender age of two, when hiking with his family. He spotted a caterpillar overrun by ants, and he picked it up in his tiny fingers, frantically trying to pluck the ants and save the squirming caterpillar. Crying for help, we plucked ants off, then Gabe gently carried the caterpillar to a safe leafy branch, where we said a prayer for him.

Gabe was a defender. When a bully fought his brother, older by four years, 6 year old Gabe jumped on the bully’s back to help his brother. He noticed a teenager ridiculing a heavyset child near school. He ran across the street, inserted himself between the two and told the teenager to back off, that the kid was his friend. (he’d never met him). Faced with a fiery little defender, the aggressor chose to retreat.

Akido and martial arts began in sixth grade, which taught him discipline, respect and amazing fighting skills. Once he earned his 2nd degree black belt, he never used it. A simple demo of his moves, and challengers quickly backed off, avoiding the fight. He was also an expert climber, and enjoyed hiking, reading and creative cooking. Despite his serious intensity, Gabe had a twinkle in his eye and was an imp ready to pounce.

Gabe’s calm, reserved exterior belied the inner turmoil of obsessive compulsive disorder, anxiety and depression since six years of age. Once diagnosed, he saw top doctors for treatment and began to feel like himself. Yet the disorders waxed and waned throughout his life, and became worse in the last three years. Working closely with his doctors to adjust and change medications, he always suffered sleeplessness and other side effects. After three years, he lost the battle.

He loved life so much, it’s unimaginable to think of the world without his good soul and his gentle good humor.

Gabe leaves behind his deeply grieving family and friends: his loving wife Peipei; his parents, George Kalousek and Dale Swenarton Kalousek; brother Michael G. Kalousek (wife Adriana and beloved niece Sophia and nephew Noah). He also leaves behind uncle Stephen Barter and cousins Lisa, Ann Marie and Julie Barter, and his devoted godmother, Dr. Barbara Lambl.

An article written by Gabe, published in the May 2024 edition of Colorado Lawyer:

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