John Garstka

John Karrer Garstka (“Uncle John”), 75, died peacefully after a valiant 21-year battle with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. He was born in East Lansing, Michigan and moved to Denver in 1947. After attending High School, John traveled extensively, lived for a time in Berkeley, CA, and then returned to the mountains that he loved. He worked for many years as a property appraiser in Fairplay and then in Littleton, CO. Following his retirement, John devoted his time to his love of art, music and the collection of scientific and other antiques. He was an accomplished classical guitarist and created beautiful and intricate fine ink pen drawings. John is survived by his sister, Ann Garstka Schmidt, nephews, Andrew Schmidt (Jamie) and Jeff Schmidt (Kristina), niece Susan Chandler (Scott), six grandnieces and grandnephews and numerous cousins.