Michael Fatiuk Obituary

Michael Fatiuk, Jr., ("Fisherman Lou") died peacefully Thursday, May 31, after a brief hospitalization. He was 78. Known to many as an avid fly-fisherman, a self-proclaimed "beer and single malt Scotch snob," and an enthusiastic barbershop singer, Mike's varied interests also included cooking (his bread and rolls will likely never be duplicated!), watching Broncos football and Rockies baseball on TV, creating stained glass marvels, and telling really bad jokes. After graduating as a Distinguished Cadet in the U.S. Air Force in 1950, Mike began a 24-year career that cultivated his many hidden talents. Highlights include flying in B-47s as a navigator; serving as a foreign language instructor at USAFA; manning the Moscow-to-Washington Hot Line in our nation's capital; dodging bombs in beautiful downtown Saigon; and heading the ROTC department at Florida State University. Mike retired as a full Colonel (at the ripe old age of 45) in 1974. Mike's recent travels saw him pursuing his fly-fishing passion in British Columbia, Slovenia, and (one of his favorite places after Colorado) Scotland. The founder of Mike's 4-F Club (Fatiuk's Fly-Fishing Fanatics), Mike was also an active member of the SPEBQSA (Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barbershop Quartet Singing in America), Cheyenne Mountain Chapter 508 of Trout Unlimited, and the highly selective ROMEO group (Retired Old Men Eating Out). Mike's absence from his home will be acutely felt by his wife of 55 years, Snookie, and their resident greeter, Chloe. He will also be deeply missed by his three daughters and sons-in-law, Jane and Tim Johnson, Missie and Neil Haight, and Phylis and Greg Ritscher; three granddaughters, Courtney Ritscher, Mindy Heimer and Candace Ritscher; the entire Oliver clan in Maine; and a legion of close friends and acquaintances. Those wishing to make memorial contributions may honor Mike's memory by donating to America the Beautiful Chorus (www.atbchorus.com); Mike sang bass for the Peak Expressions quartet and the Daytime Singers); Trout Unlimited or any favorite fishing organization; Pikes Peak Hospice; or an animal rescue group. Cheers, Mike!