Gerald Sheffield Obituary

Bayfield resident Gerald Dale Sheffield died of cancer Sunday, Oct. 3, 2010, at his home. He was 75.

Known as "Shef," he was born to Leland Harvey and Helen Ruth Ydren Sheffield on May 1, 1935, in Alamosa. His family has deep roots in Del Norte, and its history is traced back to Sweden where much of the family tree originated. In his earlier years, he began a passion for the outdoors and found great joy in the woods, on a pair of skis or pedaling a bike.

Mr. Sheffield began his military career in the Marine Corps at 18. He served in Korea and Vietnam and retired from the Air Force after completing 22 years of service.

In 1961, he married Judith Tebbetts in Orange County, Calif.

After completing his military career, Mr. Sheffield returned to Colorado. He attended Fort Lewis College and focused on natural sciences. He worked with the Forest Service near Durango and Silverton.

Mr. Sheffield reinforced his connection to the outdoors while fighting forest fires in remote areas in Southwest Colorado. He shared his joy of outdoors with his family while picking wild raspberries and mushrooms. He also enjoyed hunting. Mr. Sheffield designed and assembled his own backpack and navigated difficult terrain to count nesting peregrine falcons as an additional part-time job.

He retired from the post office in Bayfield. He stayed busy working on his vehicles, cutting firewood and caring for his wife.

"Shef was an outstanding father, husband and friend," his family wrote. "He was soft spoken, and his sense of humor left a long-lasting impression on those who crossed paths with him. He will always be in our hearts."

Mr. Sheffield is survived by his wife of 49 years, Judith Sheffield, of Bayfield; daughter, Andrea Sheffield, of Durango; son, Brian Sheffield, of Bayfield; sisters Sherry Lee Frame of Phoenix and Janice Ann Stuck of Chandler, Ariz.; one grandson; and nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life will take place at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 10, 2010, at Le Platt Lake, off County Road 501 past the roundabout in Bayfield.