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Donald Herman Downs

1931 - 2023

Donald Herman Downs obituary, 1931-2023, Colorado Springs, CO

Donald Downs Obituary


Donald Herman
Downs
May 11, 1931
October 5, 2023

Don Downs was born in Colorado Springs on a snowy day in May. It was 1931 and what is now Penrose Hospital was still called Glockner, the eastern edge of Colorado Springs was where Circle Drive is today, and Cheyenne Creek was free flowing and chock full of trout.

Professionally, Don Downs should be remembered for his dedication to his craft. He followed his father (also a Colorado Springs native) and his father before him into dentistry. Like his father, he was, after several years of practice, admitted to the American Academy of Restorative Dentistry, ultimately becoming President of this international group. Dr. Downs took pride in how his work was known to last for decades. His legacy was healthier happier patients with problems solved. Post retirement, he coached a study club composed of already accomplished dentists as they sought to continue to grow and learn. He remained active with this group until over 90 years of age. And he worked with the Academy to produce and edit videos of some of the best dentists in the country talking about advanced technical issues. He was a craftsman who took the long view.

Like so many of us in Colorado Springs, he loved the outdoors. There was many a week-long backpacking trip with his brother and friends in the San Juan Wilderness Area, the goal being to walk far enough into it that the trail was, at best, faint. He was a superb fly fisherman. The objective wasn't necessarily the biggest fish, more the ability to make beautiful casts into tight spots and to catch fish when others weren't. He was a talented skier and was on the patrol when Pikes Peak still had a ski hill. At Vail, he would regularly disappear into the trees or the back bowls, skiing his zero side cut 203cm Head Standards. He built, with essentially no help other than a few friends and family, a geodesic dome as a mountain retreat south of Fairplay. He carved stone (his turtle is in the tactile gallery at the Fine Arts Center). He recreated flowers using copper (his basket of chrysanthemums is on display in the front hallway at the Penrose House). He gardened. He did masonry. The list goes on . . .

His partner in these adventures and the love of his life was his wife Gerry (1925 – 2021). After graduating from the Cheyenne School and then the University of Nebraska, he joined the Air Force to see the world. They sent him to Denver. But that is where he met Gerry. They were soon married and moved back to Colorado Springs where he went into private practice. Their son Andrew was born in 1959 and daughter Ann (Spoor) in 1961. Like their father before them, both attended Cheyenne Mountain High School. Son and daughter, along with their spouses, have both returned to Colorado. Grandchildren Hallie Spoor and John Spoor are in New York and Florida, respectively (we think they'll be back).

Gifts in honor of his memory may be made to the Cheyenne Mountain Heritage Center.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Gazette from Oct. 10 to Oct. 15, 2023.

Memories and Condolences
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2 Entries

Deborah Renneberger

December 18, 2024

dr. Downs was the most incredible person and dentist. I moved to Denver so I didn´t see him again and I´m greatly sorry for that as he was an absolute treasure. I would like to send my deepest condolences and wishing you all a very merry Christmas even though he is no longer with you. He is there in spirit and in heart, however. Blessings to all of The Downs family

Deborah Renneberger

November 9, 2023

Dr.Downs had been my dentist many years ago. He was so kind, gentle and very funny.I very much enjoyed him, moving away was the only recado I had not used him over the years.
RIP Dr.Downs, you left quite a legacy.
You were an honor to know.

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