Duane Rumsey

Duane Charles Rumsey, Hartsel, Colorado, departed this life Thursday, July 24, 2014 at the age of 58. He died at St. Anthony’s Hospital, Lakewood, CO from complications of ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or Lou Gehrig’s disease). Duane was born September 14, 1955 in Cheyenne, WY to Gene & Mary (Canfield) Rumsey, joining his sister, Linda. He graduated from Cheyenne East High School and the University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY with an Electrical Engineering Degree in 1981. After graduation he began his lifetime career with IBM, retiring after 33 years this past January 2014. During his career he worked in Rochester, MN, Boulder, CO, Denver, CO and Shanghai, China. The past 3 years Duane relocated to Shanghai, China where he was helping to grow the Asia Pacific business. He touched many IBMers and customers around the globe with his dedication and passion for IBM and life in general. Duane was married to Gail Johnson from this union two children were born, Jennifer and Kyle. He remained an active, loving father throughout their lives. On February 8, 2000 Duane and Carol Eberle were married in the Key West Lighthouse. Shortly after they began planning and designing their home, a geodesic dome with many state of the art engineering features. The couple began construction in 2003, worked together on all phases of construction and moved into their dream home in 2006. Duane’s love of engineering brought many improvement “projects” which Carol and the carpenters completed often corresponding via phone, email and skype while he was traveling for work. Duane was loving, caring, and dedicated to his family. He cherished the times spent with his wife, Carol, children, Jennifer and Kyle, step-daughter Victoria, grandchildren and extended family. He was loved by them all for his quiet, caring, and gentle manner. Some of the things Duane enjoyed were; hiking, fishing, hunting elk with black powder rifle, brewing his own beer, and amateur astronomy. He also wrote quarterly astronomy articles for the Ranch of the Rockies Homeowners newsletter. The love of travel took Duane to five continents and countless countries and cities all over the globe. He also loved music, concerts, plays, and performances of Cirque Du Soleil. Duane was preceded in death by his father Gene W. Rumsey, and sister, Linda (Rumsey) Woodworth. Duane is survived by his wife, Carol (Eberle) Rumsey of Hartsel, CO, mother and step-father , Mary and Bill Bridge, of Cheyenne, WY, daughter, Jennifer (Rumsey) Peters of Highlands Ranch, CO, son, Kyle Rumsey of Aurora, CO, step-daughter, Victoria Ritzman of Northglenn,CO, four grandsons, Isaiah, Zackary, Cade and Lane also of Northglenn, CO, niece, Amber (Woodworth) Pace of Cheyenne, WY. Also surviving Duane is his first wife, Gayle (Johnson) Goad. A Celebration of Life Memorial Service is planned for September 14, 2014, 2:00 PM, at the DoubleTree Hotel, 3203 Quebec Street, Denver, CO. Memorial donations can be made to Rocky Mountain Chapter of ALS Association, 10855 Dover St. Ste.500, Westminster, CO 80021