Sanctuaries in the Snow

The Mike Rochowiak Memorial (Snowmass)

The Mike Rochowiak Memorial is on the Big Burn at Snowmass.  There is a water bottle and plaque (from "Molly") on one tree, and what appears to be a toy dinosaur on a nearby tree.  Photos of it are below (many thanks to Vega Brhely for telling the author about this memorial and contributing photos!)
 
This obituary for him appeared in the September 28, 2016 issue of the Post Independent--Citizen Telegram https://www.postindependent.com/news/obituaries/michael-edward-rochowiak-july-18-1986-september-20-2016/
 

Michael Edward Rochowiak (July 18, 1986 – September 20, 2016)

 

 

September 28, 2016
 
 
 

 

Mikie lived a short, but active life filled with all the adventures life has to offer. He was born in Detroit, grew up in South Lyon, Michigan and graduated from South Lyon High School. Mike moved to Colorado in 2011 to be closer to his siblings, Marty and Jamie.

Mikie jumped into life with both feet and a heart full of joy. He was kind hearted and gave his love generously to his family and friends. He was well loved by many in return and he lived in the light of these loving relationships. He looked forward to Sunday family dinners and other gatherings. He'd walk into the room with his contagious smile and hold is arms out in a total expression of joy.

Mikie gave freely of himself (and his bear hugs) to others and would stop whatever he was doing if you needed him. You always felt that you were the only person in the world when speaking with him.

He was a gentle man with a deep faith in God; He loved his time volunteering for the High School Youth Group called "Fusion" at the Orchard Church and all the kids loved spending time with him.

 

Mikie was an avid lover of sports and a passionate outdoorsman. He loved to bike, climb, snowboard, fly fish and hunt. But he especially loved being on the water. He would take his father's speedboat out on Ruedi to play in the sun with his friends and family.

Mikie had a passion for movies, loved to invent things and was a wizard with electronics. His natural talent and pride in his work helped him develop a successful career in audio-visual technology. He had recently started his own AV business in the valley.

Mikie rose up to fly over the mountains to join his father Michael Rochowiak and other loved ones who held out their arms for him last Tuesday morning. We will miss him terribly, but will see him in the crash of the waves and will continue to hear his laugh and see his contagious smile throughout our lives.

Mikie would like you to know that his work here is done. He received a call, a sort of "offer you can't refuse", for an appointment from which he will not be returning. This assignment comes with a huge sign-on bonus, a reunion with family and friends he had not seen in a long time.

Mikie leaves behind his mother Tina, her fiancé Skip, sister Jamie and brother Marty. He also leaves behind several aunts, uncles, a brother in law, nieces, nephews, cousins, his girlfriend Molly, his beloved dog "Thor" and a host of friends.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund at Alpine Bank in Mikie's name has been set up for the Fusion Youth Group at The Orchard Church. Donations can be made to the "Michael Rochowiak Memorial Fund", mailing address; ALPINE BANK, 2200 Grand Ave., Glenwood Springs, CO 81601.

A celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, October 9th at 1 p.m. in the afternoon at Maria & Ricks house on the banks of the Roaring Fork River in Glenwood Springs, CO.

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Click on images to enlarge.

 
 

Sanctuaries in the Snow

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  • David C. Wood
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