Darwin L. Guinn

Darwin L. Guinn passed away on June 9, 2024. He was born on a small farm just outside of Belle Plaine, Kansas, October 5, 1929, the youngest of the thirteen children of George Logan Guinn and Lulu Mae Walton Guinn. They raised their large, lively family in the small farming communities of Belle Plaine and Wellington, Kansas.

He graduated from Wellington High School in 1947, marrying his high school sweetheart, Beverly Ann Fry, in 1950. Darwin then graduated from Kansas State University with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering degree in 1951. He completed his ROTC training while at K-State, then served during the Korean War as a 1st Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force at the airbase in Tachikawa, Japan located on the outskirts of Tokyo. Beverly joined Darwin in Japan in 1952, living together in small homes off-base in nearby Kunitachi.

Darwin and Beverly traveled widely throughout their 69-year marriage. They lived in many places during their full lives, with 35 address changes. Darwin’s career in construction led them from small towns in Kansas and Nebraska to Littleton, Colorado and to the Bay Area of San Francisco. They settled at last in Greeley in 1968, with yearly sojourns upon retirement to Green Valley, Arizona.

Darwin’s career in the construction industry began with Martin K. Eby of Wichita, Kansas. He then joined Hensel Phelps Construction Company of Greeley in 1967 for the remainder of his career. His numerous projects included many facilities in Kansas, Nebraska, and California. Colorado projects included the Cabin Creek Hydroelectric Plant, the Colorado Historical Society and Museum, Windsor’s Eastman Kodak plant, the Tabor Center, and the Union Colony Civic Center to name just a few. He was very active in the Associated General Contractors of Colorado and served as the President of the Colorado Chapter of the AGC in the 1980s.

Darwin was very involved in the Greeley and Green Valley, Arizona communities. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Greeley and associate member of the Valley Presbyterian Church in Green Valley, Arizona. He was an active member of the Greeley and Green Valley Chapters of the Lion’s Club. He was an avid golfer, tennis, and badminton player, playing the latter in the Colorado and National Senior Olympics in 1988.

Darwin was a friend to all. His many activities included the Old Geezers Coffee group, lunch with lifelong friends, and impromptu meetings with his very dear friends and neighbors and with his many acquaintances. Always with a positive word and a welcoming smile, Darwin’s presence will be sorely missed. His daughters appreciate all of the kindness and support they have received from his numerous friends in the Greeley area in recent days.

Darwin remained a life-long learner, interested in engineering, the sciences and the arts and in his family’s many activities and educational pursuits. He was a deeply cherished father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, who loved to listen, share stories, and encourage and support them in their paths in life.

Darwin was preceded in death by his wife Beverly in 2019. He is survived and loved by his two daughters, Susan (Michael) Guinn-Chipman of Golden and Julie (Roger) Haddock of St. Louis. He is also survived and cherished by his grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Jennifer (Patrick) Chipman Dechant, Katie Chipman, Andrew (Olivia) Haddock, Holly (Hayes) Haddock Walker, and his two great-grandchildren, Audio and Gabrielle Dechant.

Darwin’s family would like to thank the staff at UC Health and at Denver Hospice for their loving care.

A celebration of Darwin’s life will be held at 2:00 p.m. August 10th, 2024 at the First United Methodist Church, Greeley, Colorado. A reception with light refreshments will follow at the church. Memorial contributions may be made in honor of Darwin L. Guinn to the First United Methodist Church, the American Cancer Society, or the American Heart Association in care of Allnutt Funeral Service - Macy Chapel, 6521 W. 20th Street, Greeley, CO 80634. Please visit www.allnuttgreeley.com to send condolences to the family.