Richard Black

Richard Noel Black passed away in his home March 1, 2012, at the age of 93. Dick, as he was often called, was a part of Boulder, Louisville and Lafayette’s history since he disembarked from the train in Louisville in 1937. Dick was born in Amarillo, Texas May 5th, 1918 to Lou Ella Gizelle Black and Leonard Noel Black (whose death from the 1918 flu epidemic preceded Dick’s birth). Dick came to Boulder with a job at the Mesa Vista Sanitarium. He soon met Margaret Ruth Dille and they married in 1938. Dick went on to work as a taxi cab driver in Boulder, and worked as a miner at the Columbine and Lost Lake mines before the war. He enlisted in the Navy and spent 1 and ½ years in the South Pacific. He served in the 5th Repair Unit during World War II. After he came home from the Navy, Dick worked as a carpenter at the University of Colorado, building and hanging the doors at Macky Auditorium. He eventually became the construction superintendent on the University Memorial Center project, and then constructed several buildings at Rocky Flats and the National Bureau of Standards. Dick also built the canal structures that feed the Boulder Reservoir from the South St. Vrain River. In the early 50’s Dick was the president of the local carpenter’s union, which at the time employed 600 men. In 1954, Dick started Black Construction. His first project was the North Boulder park shelter. During his career Dick was involved in several projects in Boulder; the fire station at Broadway and Baseline, the First Christian Church on 28th and several of Chuck Haertling’s historical houses. He also built the two houses at 6th and Euclid designed by Tician Papachristou. During his career, two of his houses made Life magazine. Dick was an active democrat in local politics and a leader in the local party for several years. In 1957 he ran for County Assessor, losing only by a slim margin. Dick was married a second time to Gwen Peterman in 1975 and lived with her until her death in 2005. Dick is survived by four children; Bonnie Black Robb, Tommie Black, Timothy Black, and Victoria Black Kelly. He is also survived by seven grand children; Amy Scott, Jim Robb Jr., Thomas Black, Scott Black, Jeffrey Black, Kristen Kelly Martin, and Piper Black. In addition he is survived by six great grand children and one great, great, grand child. Dick also has one surviving brother, Alfred Fletcher of Hartley, Texas. There will be a memorial service March 13th, at 1:00 PM, at Fort Logan Cemetery, followed by a reception at 2243 S. Olive St. Denver, Co. 80224. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Safehouse Progressive Alliance for Nonviolence, www.safehousealliance.org.