Ted Alan Beers

As a child, the Beers family lived on South College near downtown. In 1953 a sister, Sandy, was born and three years later came a brother, David. The family then moved to West Mulberry Street. Fort Collins was a small town then and life was simple. Ted went to school at Dunn Elementary and Lincoln Junior High, joined the cub scouts, and then boy scouts, and spent his free time and summers riding bikes and playing with friends. The favorite attraction was the far back dirt lot at home. Tonka trucks carved roads and ditches, and it quickly became a maze of dirt tunnels, roads and hills where toy army soldiers, tanks, and trucks replayed battle scenes. A tree houses and a rope bridge bordered the lot, making a perfect playland.

As Ted matured from child to a teenager, the family built a home in west Fort Collins. Ted and his friends learned to drive, played sports, thought about girls, and went to school. Always a great friend, Ted remained close to his dear friend from childhood, Tom McCall, and also several of his high school and college buddies. Ted always did well in school and liked to read and learn, habits he carried throughout his whole life. He received a commendation from the National Honor Society, graduating from Poudre High School in 1967. He was awarded a scholarship to Colorado State University. At CSU, he was a member of the Zeta Beta Tau fraternity, and he graduated in 1974 with a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Construction Management.

While at CSU, he met the woman who would become his life-long love, friend, and wife. Nancy and Ted were married June 5th, 1971 and enjoyed a 43 year marriage. They kept busy doing projects on their home, camping, spending time with friends, and travelling. They took some wonderful trips to Mexico, Hawaii, Canada, around Colorado and the West, and a cruise to St. Thomas. Later they enjoyed a trip to Disneyworld and a cruise to the Bahamas with their son Matthew.

In 1982, Matthew, Ted and Nancy’s only child, was born. Matt was a delight to his father. They shared many great family times hiking, camping, and taking road trips. Ted was always involved in things in Matt’s life. A trip to Dinosaur National Monument was special, as Matt loved dinosaurs! In 2006, Matt married his high-school sweetheart Ashlea Chiasson, whom Ted loved like his own daughter. Ted’s grandchildren, three year old Anna and 10 month old Nicholas, were the pride and joy of his life. Ted loved his pets as well: their dog Fritz, who went camping and hiking with the family; and then kitties Bosco, Blaze and Miss Kitty.

Ted had a long and successful career with Sinnett Builders in Fort Collins, where he worked for over 30 years. He was involved in many projects in the city and surrounding area, leaving his professional mark on his hometown. He retired from Sinnett in 2010 and settled in to enjoy his home and family, his cabin, and especially his grandbabies.

Ted’s favorite place to be the last several years has been their cabin in the Poudre Canyon. Ted spent hours working on the cabin, doing projects both inside and out to make their haven a comfortable retreat. His Grandpa Les had taught him how to fly fish, and after persuading his Uncle Dan and Grandpa to share their top-secret fishing holes on the Poudre, Ted became a pretty decent fly fisherman. Ted also enjoyed philately (the study and collecting of stamps), trains, and learning about military history.

Over the years, Ted and Nancy enjoyed spending time with their large group of friends, hosting many parties and celebrations. They had many parties that all looked forward to: New Year’s Eve, parties for Broncos and Rams games (Ted was an Aggies fan), and birthdays. It became a yearly tradition for the entire family to come to Ted and Nancy’s house for dinner and presents. Outdoor light displays, Nancy’s Christmas villages, and handmade gingerbread men became hallmarks of Ted and Nancy’s Christmas celebrations. Ted would string his impressive collection of indoor lights all around the inside of the house, along with Matt’s childhood artwork and other holiday-themed art. Everyone loved Christmas Eve at the Beers home – it was warm, cheery, and full of holiday spirit.

Here are some special thoughts the family would like to share:

Nancy often affectionately called him Teddy; she has a lifetime of memories with him to cherish. She wishes to express simply that Ted was a wonderful, loving husband and father.

For Matt, there are also so many memories. A few things that he wanted to share are that he loved the family trips together and that he was so happy that he and his dad became good friends after Matt graduated from college. It is also very special to Matt that his dad was best man at his and Ashlea’s wedding.

As adults, Ted and brother Dave grew to be good friends. Some of Dave’s favorite memories involve the unique banter between them. They could turn any conversation into a contest of wits, trying to outdo each other with clever twists on words, puns and subtle to outrageous remarks. The result being constant bursts of laughter and guffaws between them, leaving everyone around them wondering just what the heck they were doing. They also loved to discuss movies and books, especially Science Fiction.

Nephew Christopher said he will always remember Uncle Ted’s laugh.

To sister Sandy, he was her big brother Teddy. Some of her favorite memories are watching TV together: Saturday morning cartoons, Mickey Mouse club after school, and especially Friday night science fiction movie nights. The Blob, Godzilla vs. Mothra, and other great B movie classics! Ted continued in the big brother role to his sister, and she has many sweet memories of things he did for her over the years, and the wise advice and guidance he gave her.

Kelly loved her uncle’s sense of humor and his jokes. She said it was always nice to be around him because he made her feel happy.

Mom June said one thing that was special to her was that little Ted always gave her a kiss when they parted. As an adult he would hug her and kiss her on top of the head and tell her he loved her. He would end their phone conversations with an ‘I love you, Mom.’

Ted was the first-born grandson, and Nancy said that he took that role very seriously. Ted’s family extended to grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews and in-laws. The majority of his extended relations, including his in-laws, have always lived close, which meant a lifetime of family gatherings and shared holidays. Fun times, good memories, a lot of love given, a lot of love received. A life well lived.

Ted is survived by his wife, Nancy Beers; son, Matthew (Ashlea) Beers; grandchildren Anna and Nicholas, whom he loved more than anything; mother, June Beers; sister, Sandy (Glenn) Stewart; and brother David (Cathy) Beers; two nieces Kelly Viergutz and Gena (Chris) and four nephews, Christopher, Devin, Sean and Scott (Becca).

He was preceded in death by his father George.