Timothy Edward Riley July 30, 1989 - December 19, 2008 Tim Riley left us to ski with the angels as a result of a snowmobile accident on Snowmass Mountain. He was 19 years old. Tim was born and raised in Grand Junction, CO. He graduated from Fruita Monument High School in 2008. He was a soccer player and founding member of the ski club. Tim worked in the construction and snowmaking industries. He was the ultimate outdoor adventurer, spending his free time climbing, kayaking and skateboarding. The Rocky Mountains were his sanctuary; skiing and jumping were his passions. Many will miss Tim's smile, friendship and sparkling personality. He is survived by his parents, Ed and Pat Riley and brother, Dylan Riley; grandmother, Mary Anne Dillenbeck; aunts and uncles including Sue Riley, Chris and Larry Morikawa, Laurie and Robbie Vaught, Linda Dillenbeck, David and Gayle Dillenbeck, Cathy and Danny Rosenfield, Stephen and Holly Dillenbeck, and Shirley and David Regonini. Tim was preceded in death by grandparents, Edward and Genevieve Riley, Donald Dillenbeck and Uncles Barry and Jimmy Riley. He will be missed by countless cousins and friends of all ages. A Celebration of Life will be held on December 29, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. at Canyon View Vineyard Church, 736 24 1/2 Rd., Grand Junction, CO. Memorial contributions may be made to The Tim Riley Memorial Fund, c/o American National Bank, 2399 F Road, Grand Junction, CO 81505. Proceeds will be used to fund youth and disabled ski programs and build a bench for resting on beautiful Snowmass Mountain, where Tim's soul took wing.ASPEN — An Aspen Skiing Co. employee who was seriously injured in a snowmobile crash at Snowmass Ski Area last week remains in a coma in a Grand Junction hospital, said a family friend who is hosting a fundraiser Wednesday.
Tim Riley, a 19-year-old member of a Skico snowmaking crew, was driving a snowmobile at the ski area shortly after midnight Friday when he crashed into a tree somewhere on the Hal’s Hollow ski run, according to the Skico.
After spending hours lying unconscious in the snow — those on his crew apparently were unaware he had reported to work — Riley was found by another Skico employee, rushed to Aspen Valley Hospital and then airlifted to St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Junction in critical condition, according to AVH.
A St. Mary’s spokeswoman said on Tuesday that Riley remained in serious condition, which is considered an improvement over critical status.
According to Riley’s friend, Joe McMenimen, Riley was suffering from hypothermia when he was found, is in a coma and has developed pneumonia.
However, “doctors are positive about his condition,” McMenimen said.
McMenimen said he runs the Taqueria 85 restaurant in Snowmass and has been a friend to Riley since he arrived in Aspen. He added that he has arranged for a gathering at 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Mountain Dragon bar and restaurant on the old Snowmass Village Mall.
“We’re basically just offering up our souls, getting everybody together to think about him, have a positive thought,” McMenimen said.
He said Riley grew up in Grand Junction, and that this was his first season in Aspen. Riley was working on a night snowmaking crew at Snowmass and “living in his car” while he looked for accommodations, McMenimen said.
Efforts to contact Riley’s family were not successful.
jcolson@aspentimes.com
Tim Riley, a 19-year-old member of a Skico snowmaking crew, was driving a snowmobile at the ski area shortly after midnight Friday when he crashed into a tree somewhere on the Hal’s Hollow ski run, according to the Skico.
After spending hours lying unconscious in the snow — those on his crew apparently were unaware he had reported to work — Riley was found by another Skico employee, rushed to Aspen Valley Hospital and then airlifted to St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Junction in critical condition, according to AVH.
A St. Mary’s spokeswoman said on Tuesday that Riley remained in serious condition, which is considered an improvement over critical status.
According to Riley’s friend, Joe McMenimen, Riley was suffering from hypothermia when he was found, is in a coma and has developed pneumonia.
However, “doctors are positive about his condition,” McMenimen said.
McMenimen said he runs the Taqueria 85 restaurant in Snowmass and has been a friend to Riley since he arrived in Aspen. He added that he has arranged for a gathering at 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Mountain Dragon bar and restaurant on the old Snowmass Village Mall.
“We’re basically just offering up our souls, getting everybody together to think about him, have a positive thought,” McMenimen said.
He said Riley grew up in Grand Junction, and that this was his first season in Aspen. Riley was working on a night snowmaking crew at Snowmass and “living in his car” while he looked for accommodations, McMenimen said.
Efforts to contact Riley’s family were not successful.
jcolson@aspentimes.com
