Samuel Allen Younghein

Samuel Allan Younghein died peacefully at Poudre Valley Hospital in Ft. Collins CO, on August 7th, 2016 at the age of 87.

Sam is preceded in death by his loving wife Michaela ""Mickey"" Lane Younghein.

He is survived by his children: Kathy Gale of Phoenix, AZ, Mark Younghein of Wellington, CO, Glen Younghein of Livingston, MT, Karen (Gordon) Nuttall of Livermore, CO, Roland Younghein of Longmont, CO, Chris (Joyce) Younghein of Freeburg, MO.; Grandchildren: Jeff Wargo, Elizabeth Wargo, Kodi Younghein, Casey Younghein, Sean Younghein, Nathan Grimm, and Natalie Cook; Sister Shirley (Rob) Conklin of Denver, CO and 7 Great Grandchildren.

Sam was born on March 20th, 1929 in Denver, CO to Samuel Younghein and Dorothy Ellen Gable. At age 16 after moving to CA he began working as a ramp agent for Western Airlines at the new LAX airport. He quickly advanced to the position responsible for weight and balance on aircrafts. During this time, he became an aircraft owner and pilot. In 1950 Sam moved to Rapid City, SD and worked as a radio operator and station agent and also met his sweetheart, Michaela Lane.

He married ""Mickey"" in March of 1951 and then spent 2 years in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. After returning stateside, the couple bought their first home, became parents for the 2nd time and Sam did more pilot training and became a certified weather observer.

In 1956 during the airline strike, Sam obtained his Real Estate license and worked as a realtor until he was accepted as a trainee with the CAA air traffic controller Program. The CAA later became the FAA and after training in Oklahoma, he was assigned as a controller in the Great Falls, MT Center. After two years he was transferred to the Denver Air Traffic Control Center, bringing him back to his home town to raise his family. Sam happily retired at age 50.

Entrepreneur: Sam was already busy with his Longmont Vending business which he sold after 5 years to buy a bankrupt solar company. He sold a few systems and liquidated compressors and other parts. He obtained a degree in construction management from Aimes College in Greeley. Not a man who sits on his laurels, once the solar equipment's sold off he stepped into the niche arena of log construction and built the first of many log homes.

The thrill of building with logs captured the attention of his two eldest sons: Mark and Glen. This developed into a family business that lasted for years culminating in the construction of the largest log structure in Colorado and the addition of a crane service that is still owned and operated by 3rd son Roland.

Sam and Mickey spent 22 great years in Estes Park. They owned a motel on the river, traveled extensively in RV's and on cruise ships, moved several times, and started snow-birding to AZ. Mickey’s love of warm weather and lower altitude extended their time there and at one point they owned multiple homes: CO, AZ, a home near the Canadian border, and one on the water in Blaine, WA. With such choices available, a decision was made to sell the Estes Park property and add a home on the Straits of Georgia near San Juan Islands! This kept them very busy boating, fishing, crabbing and traveling for seven glorious summers.

Sam and Mickey finally settled full time in AZ where he again stayed busy with cushion billiards, restoring el camino's, and house hopping. After 26 homes and years of an exciting lifestyle, they settled into a condo and a lovely daily routine.

Sam returned full time to Colorado 2 years after Mickey’s passing and lived his remaining years taking pleasure from the outdoors and wildlife of Northern Colorado with his son Mark and several crazy dogs.

Cremation has been entrusted to Howe Mortuary.

Memorial services will be held on Monday, August 29th at 10:30 am at Our Lady of the Mountains Catholic Church, 920 Big Thompson Ave, Estes Park CO 80517 In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to: The Alzheimer's Foundation of America 322 Eighth Ave, 7th fl. New York, NY 10001 (85% of all monies goes to the programs to assist the people in need)

Cremation has been entrusted to Howe Mortuary.

Memorial services will be held on Monday, August 29th at 10:30 am at Our Lady of the Mountains Catholic Church, 920 Big Thompson Ave, Estes Park CO 80517 In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to: The Alzheimer's Foundation of America 322 Eighth Ave, 7th fl. New York, NY 10001 (85% of all monies goes to the programs to assist the people in need)