Edwin Smith

SMITH, Edwin "Ed" L. Smith (Top Hat)

of Denver, CO died on September 13, 2010. He was 68 years old. He was born on June 11, 1942, a 5th generation Coloradoan. The family moved to Tabernash, CO in 1947; his dad had been transferred there by the Rio Grande Railroad. Ed was known as the "town hobo" because he hung around the train yard constantly. He learned to fish, hunt and ski at an early age. He also had a horse, Strawberry and his dog, Tippy. In retrospect, Ed was always amazed that his mom allowed him the freedom to roam the mountains up there with Strawberry and Tippy. When Ed's dad was transferred back to Denver, Ed didn't want to come back - he had fallen in love with Grand County and that love lasted a life-time!
He graduated from Lincoln High School. He went to work for Hutchinson Homes at the age of 16 and retired from there after 25 years. Ed married Barbara Mosley in 1963. They divorced in 1977. In 1989, he met Karen Blaschke and they have been together ever since. During their life together, they pursued many hobbies. Ed's many talents included Indian artifacts, jewelry making, silversmithing, woodworking, bronze statuaries, and more recently painting. A lot of his work was sold in Grand Lake, CO where they spent a lot of time. While in Grand Lake, Ed spent a lot of his time walking up and down the boardwalk handing out Jr. Colorado Ranger badges and "fuzzy" bunnies to children. He was a Grand Lake Ambassador and a member of the Fireworks Committee. He spent MANY hours standing at the only stop sign in Grand Lake soliciting contributions for the July 4th fireworks. He has had his picture taken by many people from around the world. When he wasn't in town, he loved to go fishing at Green Ridge and catch kokanee when no one else was catching anything! He is survived by his wife, Karen, step-sons Bob Blaschke (Joyce) of Santa Cruz CA, Mike Blaschke (Erica) of Chico, CA brother-in law, step-daughter Kristen Andersen (Bryce) of Las Cruces NM: brother-in-law Alan Mencin (Cathy), sisters-in-law, Mary Mencin and Sharon Mencin; 2 step-nieces and 2 step-nephews, 3 step-grandsons and 2 step-granddaughters, cousins and many ,many friends. He will be missed by everyone who knew him.