Remembering Rod Slifer: A Celebration of Life You Wont Forget

Man, today was something else. I went to Rod Slifer’s celebration of life. You know, the guy who basically built Vail from the ground up? Yeah, that Rod Slifer. He passed away back in February, on the 3rd. He was 89. I mean, this guy was a legend around here. He came to Vail in ’62 and just changed everything. I saw a notice that they held the service to honor him on Thursday, June 27th. I marked it on my calendar right away.

So, the day finally came. I headed over to the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater. I got there, and let me tell you, the place was packed. Hundreds of people, all there to remember Rod. It was kind of overwhelming, but in a good way, you know? There was this buzz in the air, a mix of sadness and celebration. It felt right to be there.

The memorial service itself was… well, it was a lot. People got up and shared their stories about Rod. I mean, the guy had so many stories. I even remember reading somewhere that he loved to tell them. Hearing everyone talk about him, it was like he was right there with us. They talked about his vision for Vail, how he helped make it what it is today. He was the first real estate agent in town! Some folks talked about his love for the mountains, and other shared about his impact on the community.

• I listened to people talk about his early days in Vail.
• I heard stories about his work and his passion.
• I learned more about his personal life and his family.

It wasn’t just sad, though. There were laughs, too. People remembered his humor, his quirks. It was a real celebration of his life, just like the event was called. I even spoke to a few people who knew him personally. It was really special to hear their firsthand accounts.

By the end of it, I felt like I knew Rod a little better, even though I never met him. It was a powerful experience, being there with everyone, sharing in the memories. It made me think about the impact one person can have on a community. It made me appreciate the history of this place even more.

They are planting trees in his memory, which I think is a beautiful touch. And arrangements were handled by Quinn-Shalz Family Funeral Home, so everything was really well taken care of.

Leaving the amphitheater, I felt a sense of closure, and a renewed appreciation for Vail. It was a good day, a sad day, but a good one. It was a fitting tribute to a man who gave so much to this town.

Rest in peace, Rod.

This whole experience really got me thinking about legacy and the mark we leave on the world. It’s something I’ll be pondering for a while, I’m sure.