Many of us owe our success to the diligent efforts of the men and women of the Arapahoe High School faculty. Whether it was a kind word of encouragement or some hard-to-hear feedback, we all benefitted from their presence.
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Deceased
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Jean Amstutz - English
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Ted Amundson - Physical Education
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Nancy Anderson - Business Education
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Deceased
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Sam Appell - Industrial Arts
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Deceased
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Clarence Bailey - Science
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Deceased
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Larry Becker - Business Education
Coach Becker passed on Monday evening, 2/14/2022. He is survived by wife Joy, daughter Kayla, and son Jeff and their families, as well as members of son Rod's family (Rod passed several years ago).
Those of us who went through Arapahoe High School from 1964 through 1974 will remember Coach Becker as a caring man of high principles, and was always ready to stand up for and help students any time it was necessary, even when it cost him personally. Most of us remember him for his friendly and caring nature, love for his family and for his students.
The Beckers moved to Papillon, Nebraska after retirement, living close to their children and grandchildren. The remembrance services and interment of his ashes will be in Great Bend, Kansas where he was born, and where he returned after his time with us at Arapahoe High School to continue his 40+ teaching and coaching careers.
Coach Becker lived with diabetes for over 45 years, and last September 2021 he had to go on hemodialysis. He maintained his positive outlook on life, and continued to inspire people in his life to the end. Coach would have been 87 on March 3rd.
Bob Dolezal
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"Coach Becker was a positive influence in my life as my swimming coach, friend, and teacher. The team remembers our 5:30AM practices at the Littleton YMCA, especially the one when the chlorine content was way too high and we all ended up going home sick by 2nd hour! He is one of just a few teachers that I still have fond memories of, including the time he tried to hook me up with a date to prom because I was such a social bonehead that I had not idea how to do it myself.
Blessings to all the extended family, and to each of you. I pray that Coach was a child of God that we'll again see sooner rather than later.
Dick Puter
Full Obituary: https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/papillion-ne/larry-becker-10588084
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Carolyn Brown - Foreign Languages
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Pat Certain - Arts and Crafts
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Deceased
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John Cline - Physical Education
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Deceased
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John "Red" Coats - Social Sciences
John W. ``Red'' Coats, who coached Wheat Ridge to three state championships in football in 1966, 1967 and 1973, died April 6, 1999 of cancer at Mountain Vista Health Center in Wheat Ridge. He was 76.
Coats coached for 30 years in Texas and Colorado and retired in 1978 from coaching and in 1982 from teaching. His first season in Colorado was at Arapahoe High School (1963-1967) as the school's first football coach.
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Deceased
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John Crandall - English
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Deceased
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Tom Crawford - Social Sciences
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Deceased
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LeeRoy Daniel - Science
Lee R. Daniel, age 74, passed away 5/5/15. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, May 23, 2015 at 2 p.m. at St. Luke's United Methodist Church, 8817 S. Broadway, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129 In Lee's memory, memorial donations may be made to Alzheimer's Association at: http://www.alz.org/join_the_cause_donate.asp
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Deceased
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Marcelene Dillon - Music
Born Jan. 29, 1929 in Marion, IN. Passed away Oct. 21, 2010 in Centennial, CO. Preceded in death by her best friend Peg Berry. Survived by her "grandchildren;" Nathanael and Emelia Steinmetz.
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Ralph Dokken - Misguidance Counselor
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Don Engelhardt - Social Sciences
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Deceased
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Fred Foster - Industrial Arts
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Deceased
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John "Bud" French - Social Sciences
John Simon "Bud" French, 78, a resident of Green Valley, AZ, died peacefully at his home after a lengthy illness January 30, 2001. He was born and raised in Craig, Colorado, graduated Craig High School in 1940 and served in the US Navy from 1942-45. He graduated Colorado State University in 1949 and received his masters degree from University of Northern Colorado in 1964. During his career, Bud (also known as "Coach") was a teacher, coach and school counselor in Wray, Craig and Littleton, Colorado; Cheyenne, Wyoming; and the US Dept of Defense schools in Tokyo. Among his many awards and accomplishments, Bud was honored as "Father of the Year" in Littleton in June, 1977. The accolades he received these past six months from former students, athletes and teachers were such a blessing. He leaves behind many former students, counselors, teachers and friends in Littleton.
Susan Bates - He was the kindest teacher I have ever known. He taught Biology in such a way, that I really learned a lot and enjoyed it, though, dissecting frogs was NOT my forte. I tutored his daughter in violin after school my Junior year. He is greatly missed, but he made a difference in this world.
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Mary Lou Gates - Business Education
Robbie (Brown) Etter - I am so happy to hopefully connect with you once again and tell you THANK YOU for all your encouragement and exposure to the business end of business. I am a bit strange, but I love typing, have always loved it, and actually took two of my favorite things, Latin and transcription, and had a successful medical transcription business for 11 years. Typing still relaxes me, not quite as melodious as piano but I sure get my Christmas letters done on time! Anyway, thank you for seeing or at least making me believe I was worth your effort. You made a huge difference in my life.
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A. L. Grant - Social Sciences
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Deceased
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Joe Haggerty - Assistant Principal
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Shirley Hardin - Foreign Languages
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Nancy Harwood - English
Thank you, Miss Harwood, for teaching me the difference between less and fewer, who and whom and to cringe when I hear "...him and me...". With your help, I learned a dying language and I'm a better person for it.
Jim Schallert
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Deceased
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Ellen Heeren - Science
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Deceased
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James Heinlein - Mathematics
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Wayne Henry - English
You probably don't remember, but I was the surly punk who mouthed off to you (in front of your future wife) at a school dance, after you had caught a few of us smokin' in the boys room. I just want you to know that I'm deeply sorry for that, and thought you might like to know that not only did I turn out OK after all, but that I never forgot your model of quiet strength and restraint in the face of stupid provocation. It's a lesson that's stayed with me all these years and I thank you for teaching it to me, though you weren't my official teacher. I've been wanting to tell you that for 51 years.
Mike Boyle
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Diane Henry - Mathematics
Hi, Miss Maltby! I want to thank you for being my pal all of these years. You always encouraged me to forge ahead. I remember being in your geometry class on November 22, 1963 when President Kennedy was assassinated. So, Happy 50th wedding anniversary on June 5, 2015. You and Wayne are the best!
Ray Satter
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Frank Herzog - Business Education
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Reg Holmes - Social Sciences
In nearly 18 years of education, some higher than others, I have had many fine teachers. One changed my life. Even though I was a strong "D" student in any class related to math or science, Mr. Holmes taught me learning could be difficult, exciting, and rewarding at the same time. He encouraged me to follow my own track and dared me to excel and even to lead.
The highlight of the 50th reunion will be to shake his hand and thank Reg Holmes for a gift impossible to repay. Dave Welch
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Deceased
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Dalton Holsteen - Social Sciences
Dalton Harry Holsteen of Littleton, a teacher, died Nov. 20, 1999. He was 62.
He was born May 27, 1937, in Mount Pleasant, Iowa. On Aug. 12, 1960, he married Lita Arnett. Holsteen earned a bachelor's degree from Wheaton College and a master's degree in history from the University of Colorado. He taught at Littleton and Arapahoe high schools. He was a music director at Mission Hills Church. He is survived by his wife; a daughter, Alane, Denver; a son, Neil, Littleton; four brothers, Verdaine, Topeka, Kan., Melbourne, Haslett, Mich., Darrell, Glen Ellyn, Ill., and Verle, Omaha; three sisters, Faith Totmeier, New London, Iowa., Marveline Bailey, Malaga, Wash., and Donnaline Street, Hot Springs Village, Ark.; and four grandchildren.
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Charles Holton - Social Sciences
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Chiyo Horiuchi - Special Education
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Deceased
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Marilyn Houlton - English
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Deceased
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JoAnne Jillson - English
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Armon Johannsen - Guidance Counselor
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Deceased
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Lyle Johnson - Guidance Counselor
Lyle O. Johnson, 76, of Aurora, went Home to be with the Lord May 13, 2010. Beloved husband of Bessie; father of Lori Tavarez, Jennifer Smith, Dalene Chin and Randy Otto; grandfather of 8; and great grandfather of 4. Also survived by sister Barbara Widner and brothers Riley and Jim Johnson. A life-long educator, Lyle graduated from South High and achieved his BA, MA, and PHD degrees from the University of Denver.
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Deceased
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Vaiva Kapostins - Foreign Languages
Vaiva Kapostins, 75, passed away peacefully September 12, 2013 in Lakewood, CO. Vaiva was born in Kosa County, Latvia on June 23, 1938 to Voldemars and Emilija Kapostins. She and her family fled Latvia to Germany to escape Russian occupation in 1944. They came to America in 1949 to Indiana. In 1953, Vaiva and her family moved to the Denver area where she had lived ever since. Vaiva attended South High School in Denver and graduated from the University of Denver with a degree in education. She pursued a 30+ year teaching career at Heritage High School in Littleton, CO. Vaiva belonged to the Latvian sorority Dzintras and was active in the Denver latvian community. She served on the board of the Ev. Latvian-Lutheran Church as president for 9 years. She is survived by 3 cousins, Valdis Zebauers, Liga Zebauers, and Baiba Graft.
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Bill Keith - Social Sciences
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Vrej Keotunian - Mathematics
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Deceased
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John Knipping - Principal
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Jane Langford - Physical Education
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Deceased
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Barbara Luce - Physical Education
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Blanche Martin - Business Education
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Deceased
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Jan Mitchell - Guidance Counselor
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Mary McBrayer - Social Sciences
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Deceased
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Larry Nelson - Driver's Ed
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Deceased
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George Neuvirth - Foreign Languages
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John Pennoyer - Social Sciences
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Dorothy Pepello - English
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Chris Pipho - Assistant Principal
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Richard Romero - Foreign Languages
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Deceased
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A. R. Samuel - Social Sciences
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Dorothy Scarlett - Home Economics
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Linda Schaefer - Mathematics
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Deceased
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Gordon Scheele - Science
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Elizabeth Scott - Foreign Languages
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Deceased
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Gene Scrimpsher - English / Drama
Mike Ziemba - Hello, Gene! Thanks to you, I have many fond memories of my brief time at Arapahoe High School (especially of my participation in Annie Get Your Gun and The Importance of Being Earnest). You were one of the teachers there who inspired me to become a teacher myself. I hope you know how profoundly you have affected the lives of so many people down through the years. All the very best to you!
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William Sigler - Mathematics
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Beckie Steele - Social Sciences
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Deceased
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Carroll Swift - English
My senior year with you became special because what I learned from you helped me in college. Sometimes I think teachers wonder if they made a difference. You definitely did with me - while in college and when I taught school and even when I started my own business. Thank You
John Thomas
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Deceased
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Tim Tarleton - Social Sciences
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Phyllis Vandehaar - Arts and Crafts
I loved your art classes. You made us stretch outside our comfort zones. Pottery was one of my favorite (remember the "Raku" experience with Gene Lang). I have always wanted to let you know the great influence you had on me. I apprenticed in a Dental lab during college and found my place in the art of making people smile. We own a dental lab and I get to "sculpt" teeth to make people feel good about their smiles. 38 years and loving every minute of it. Thank You!
Jan (Seagraves) Vogel
You impacted my life in more ways than you will ever know.
"To act, dance, sing, paint; to celebrate your personal joy."
All of my degrees are in Fine Arts, thanks in part to your passion for your craft.
Sudi (Kauzlarich) Sloan
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Raymond VanderLeest - Science
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Morris Vogel -Business Education
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Deceased
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Les Welker - Mathematics
Les Welker, age 80, passed away March 24, 2016. He was born February 15, 1936 in Pawnee, OK, to Gladys Bernice Shields and Leslie Layton Welker. Wes is survived by his wife of 59 years, 7 children and 15 grandchildren. Les attended Stillwater, OK High School and received a football scholarship to the University of Colorado. He grraduated from Oklahoma State University. Wes was a mathematics teacher from 1964-1991 at Arapahoe High School in Centennial, Colorado. He enjoyed many years of success coaching football, including a State Championship victory in 1970. Les' favorite hobbies were fly fishing and downhill skiing. He loved spending time with his family and will be greatly missed.
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Deceased
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Phil Zamora - Social Sciences
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William Zediker - English
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