Herbert Leroy Stwalley

Herbert L. Stwalley of Lakewood, Colorado passed away on November 18, 2019 after 97 years of a remarkable life. Herbert (known to all as Herb) was born on September 3, 1922 to Ray L. Stwalley and Ruth Blanche (Winslow) Stwalley on the family homestead located in Bent County, 20 miles southwest of Las Animas, Colorado. Herb shared the family home with brothers Richard and Don and sisters Ruth and Stella.

During WWII he joined the 133rd Construction Battalion (SeaBees) with service on Iwo Jima. As a member of a support unit assigned to the Fifth Amphibious Corp, Herb received commendation from the Navy for outstanding heroism in support of military operations during the seizure of Iwo Jima. Following WWII Herb returned to Las Animas to marry his high school sweetheart, Elinor Sharswood Green. They enjoyed 59 years of marriage until Elinor’s passing in 2005.

Herb attended Colorado State University in Fort Collins attaining a Civil Engineering degree and accepting employment with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. As a contracting specialist his work involved dam construction projects in Colorado, Utah, Montana and the State of Washington. Herb retired in 1979 as Branch Chief of the Bureau of Reclamation in Denver. Herb’s interests included hunting, fly fishing, gardening, bird watching, sports viewing and investing. Herb was an active member of the Green Mountain United Methodist Church and maintained residence at Lakeview Senior Living.

Herb was preceded in death by his parents Ray and Blanche, his siblings Richard, Ruth, Donald, Estella and wife Elinor. He is remembered by his many nieces and nephews, as well as many friends at Lakeview Senior Living, Green Mountain United Methodist Church and retired members of the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation.

Funeral services will be conducted on November 22, 2019 at 1:30 P.M. (visitation @ 12:30 P.M.) at Olinger Crown Hill Mortuary & Cemetery, Wheat Ridge, Colorado 80033 303-233-4611. Condolences may be offered at www.CrownHillFuneral.com