Carol Jean Riordan

Carol was born in Washington DC on February 11, 1949. As the daughter of a career U.S. Air Force officer, she lived in many cities across the U.S. and in Japan while growing up. When she graduated from Cabrillo High School in Lompoc, CA, she was valedictorian of her class. She graduated from the University of California at Santa Barbara and went on to receive her M.A. in Geography from San Diego State University, and her Ph.D. in Earth Sciences from Colorado State University in Fort Collins, CO.

Carol began her more than 30-year career in solar energy research and development when she joined the new and pioneering organization, Solar Energy Research Institute (SERI) in Golden, CO. SERI became the National Renewal Energy Lab (NREL), where Carol achieved the position of Associate Lab Director. After retirement, she continued her involvement with the solar energy research community by producing a daily newsletter that compiled current information of interest for more than 3,000 subscribers worldwide.

Carol had a zest for life along with a passion for skiing, hiking, biking, and traveling the world. She was known for her love for Gene, family and friends, her sense of fun, great wit and sense of humor, and her creative talents. She is remembered affectionately by so many.

Aside from her husband Gene, she is survived by her sister Susie Riley and husband Bill of Aptos, CA, their two children and four grandchildren; her sister Mary Ellen Wiss and husband Charles Powell of San Francisco, CA, and their son; Gene’s sister Alanna Psomas and husband Tim of Balboa Island, CA, their four children, ten grandchildren, and two great grandchildren; Gene’s sister Toni Strand and husband John of Grand Junction, CO, their two children and two grandchildren; Gene’s brother Phil Riordan, his wife Andi of Thousand Oaks, CA, their two children and seven grandchildren; and Gene’s sister Missy Maschler and husband Tim of Crawford, NE, her two children and five grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation in Carol’s name to either: (a) TRU Community Care at www.trucare.org or by mail at 2594 Trailridge Drive East, Lafayette, CO 80026; or (b) Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research at www.michaeljfox.org.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.cristmortuary.com for the RIORDAN family.