A couple of ‘nice, dedicated’ people in Beaver Creek

BEAVER CREEK – Harry and Susan Frampton truly embody the spirit and class of Beaver Creek, said Vail Valley Foundation President Ceil Folz. The nonprofit foundation has named Harry and Susan Frampton Beaver Creek’s citizens of the year. The award was created to “recognize a person or persons who have gone above and beyond the call of duty to enhance Beaver Creek both as a community and a resort,” says John Dakin, vice president of the foundation. “Not only has Harry helped to literally build Beaver Creek” adds Folz, “but both Harry and Susan are the consummate ambassadors for the resort and the community.” Although the husband and wife work in different fields — Harry in business and Susan in volunteer organizations – both direct their efforts towards improving the community, says Dakin. The crossover occurs during Vail Valley Foundation events, of which Harry is chairman of the board of directors and Susan is a key volunteer, says Dakin.

Standing by a visionHarry has been a major force behind the development of Beaver Creek from its very beginning, when he was president of Vail Associates, Inc. from 1982 to 1986. “He helped to build Beaver Creek from the ground up to what it is today,” Dakin says. “Having been involved from the outset, I think Harry has a special place in his heart for Beaver Creek. He has a lot of pride for what the resort has grown in to – he left his mark.”Frampton called the creation of Beaver Creek ‘a really wonderful experience.” But he credited others whom, he said, were instrumental in building the resort, such as Bob Parker, Jack Zehren and Dean Kerkling, Frampton said. “They established terrific vision and it was neat to be part of that vision and bring it to completion,” he said. “I give incredible credit to Vail Resorts because they have stood by that core vision for many, many years.”

‘That accent’Susan has volunteered in the valley for more than two decades, during which she has served on the board of directors at the Vail Mountain School and the Family Learning Center, as chairman of the Resource Center, and as a volunteer teacher at Red Sandstone Elementary School.”Since the early years of the Vail Valley Foundation, Susan has been one of our top volunteers, no matter what the event or project,” Folz says. :She truly cares about this community and doesn’t hesitate to give herself in a great many ways.”Harry and Susan are significant figures in Beaver Creek history, says Vail Mayor Rod Slifer, friend of the couple. “If they hadn’t moved here, it could be that a lot of what’s happened wouldn’t be complete yet,” Slifer says. “He built Market Square, the Vilar center, and the ice rink in one big project.”The Framptons are originally from South Carolina. “So, they have that accent,” says Slifer. They also recently became grandparents.

“They are just nice, dedicated people,” says Slifer. The first recipient of the Beaver Creek citizen of the year award was former President Gerald Ford in 1990. Since then, Phil and Jane Smiley, John Galvin, Winton and Carolyn Blount, Bob Brotman, Brian Nolan, John Boll, Alison Knapp, Craig Tuber, Alberto Vilar, Peter May, Vince Cook, Michael Balk and Jim and Suzy Donohue have won the award.Daily staff writer Cliff Thompson contributed to this report. Vail, Colorado