Former Buffalo, Business Icon Walt Koelbel Passes Away
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| Walter A. Koebel, Sr. |
Walter A. Koelbel, Sr., an end for the Colorado football team in the 1940s and area business icon, passed away on Dec. 25. He was 85.
A native of Muskegon, Mich., Koelbel was a four-year letterwinner playing both offensive and defensive end positions, for Frank Potts (1944-45) and Jim Yeager (1946-47) during Colorado's final four years of competition in the Mountain States Conference. He caught three passes for 47 yards as a junior in 1946 and capped his career with four catches for 56 yards and a touchdown in 1947.
Koelbel graduated from CU's School of Business in 1947. After beginning his professional career in real estate, he founded Koelbel and Co., in 1952 which would become one of Colorado's largest real estate development and management businesses.
Koelbel's family name adorns CU's Leeds School of Business building as his family's $4 million gift, paved the way for the building's $38 million renovation and expansion in 2007. A long-time donor to his alma mater, he helped to develop CU's Real Estate Center and participated in numerous endeavors including the renovation of CU-Boulder's Macky Auditorium.
"Walt represented all that is great about being a Buff," CU Athletic Director Mike Bohn said. "His passion as a competitive student-athlete, leader in business and dedication to the institution will leave a long lasting positive impact for generations to come."
Koelbel is survived by his wife, Gene; sons Buz Koelbel and Robert Koelbel; daughters Lyn Stambaugh, Leslie Webb and Laurie Chahbandour; and 14 grandchildren.
Services are 10 a.m. Friday at Most Precious Blood Catholic Church, 2250 S. Harrison St. in Denver. The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, contributions should be sent to Sewall Child Development Center at 1360 Vine St., Denver CO 80206, or Goodwill Industries of Denver at 6850 Federal Blvd., Denver, CO 80221.
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