Dennis Schlachter

    Dennis Dean Schlachter was born Oct. 13, 1949, to Delmer and Lois (Heermann) Schlachter in Holyoke. He died Feb. 13, 2018.
    He was the oldest of four boys. His parents were dairy farmers, raised chickens, and grew wheat and corn. They were hardworking, and it rubbed off on all of their sons.
    Dennis knew from an early age that he didn’t want to be a farmer. His interests were in photography, architectural design and art. After attending a junior college in Goodland, Kansas, he moved to Denver, where he was able to turn these interests into a successful business, eventually being able to focus primarily on his passion for architectural design.
    His strong work ethic paid off as he became a very successful designer of custom homes, not only in Denver but in Evergreen, Breckenridge, Vail, Edwards, Cordillera, Durango and Steamboat Springs. He also designed homes for his parents and his brother Marc and sister-in-law Gail in Holyoke.
    Dennis never stopped learning. He was an avid reader of mostly nonfiction in subjects about science and space technology, electronics, photography, watercolor techniques, cooking techniques and much more.
    He was an accomplished photographer both professionally and as a hobby he loved. He was a prolific watercolorist, always looking for new subject matter, sometimes painting from some of his own photography.
    Dennis and his wife Peg lived in the Lowry neighborhood and, as was his nature, got involved. He was one of the inaugural members of the original LCMA Board of Directors and one of the original members of the Lowry Buildings and Grounds Committee. He was associated with the Home Builders Association of Metro Denver and won awards for both his marketing and for the design of their home in Lowry. He also volunteered for a time at Habitat for Humanity.
    Dennis had a deep love for his wife, family and friends and loved spending time with all of them.
    Since his passing, there have been countless cards, texts, emails and messages received through social media about Dennis. He would be so humbled to know how many people loved him and how many lives he affected.
    Dennis was preceded in death by his father, Delmer.
    His is survived by his wife, Peg (Berson); mother, Lois; brothers, Marc and wife Gail, Dave and wife Carol, and Jim and wife Jan; and many nephews and nieces. They will all miss him so much, but he will never be far from their thoughts.
    This quote from Pericles seems appropriate for a man who touched so many: “What you leave behind is not what is engraved on stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others.”
    Services will be held Saturday, Feb. 24, at 10 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church in Holyoke.