Rigo Thurmer, 1930-2010, Vail developer and homeowners

Part-time Vail resident Rigomar A. “Rigo” Thurmer died peacefully in Boulder on Nov. 8.

Rigo was born in Schweinfurt, Germany, in 1930 to Theodor and Sofie Thurmer. In 1937, his family moved to Bad Reichenhall in Bavaria, and it was here, in the Alps, that Rigo’s passion for climbing and skiing developed.

During the occupation of Germany by the Allied Forces in World War II, Rigo taught skiing to American GIs in Berchtesgaden. After the war, he finished his studies at the Technische Universitat in Munich and then moved to the United States to complete his education. Following his graduation from Harvard, Rigo joined the architecture firm of Philip Johnson in New Canaan, Conn. It was there he met and married Joyce Peterson. In 1966, Rigo and Joyce decided to make Boulder their home.

During his lifetime, Rigo and Joyce skied and /or climbed the Bugaboos in Canada, the Caucasus Mountains in the USSR, the mountains of the People’s Republic of China, and many other countries. However, climbing and skiing in the Rockies was always his favorite.

Rigo and his family first came to Vail in the mid-1960s and purchased a condominium in the Vorlaufer building in Vail. It was during this time that Rigo came to know many of the locals. In the early 1970s, Rigo developed the Vail International in Lionshead. The family still owns a condominium there.

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Rigo and Joyce have five children: Mathias Thurmer (Veronika) of Boulder; Katharine Stoffer (Bradley) of Portland, Ore.; Daniel Thurmer of Boulder; Christina Pettigrew (James) of Mill Valley, Calif; and Elizabeth Boedecker of Boulder. They also have 13 grandchildren and four nieces and nephews.

Rigo lived a full life. He was a Fulbright scholar, he received a Master of Arts from Harvard School of Design, he was a fine architect and he was honored with many awards. Rigo wrote many entertaining and humorous articles for Mountain Gazette and Ski Magazine.

Rigo will be remembered for many things including his devotion to his family, his dry sense of humor, his passion for the mountains, and his love for his dog, KACE (a gift from his three daughters).

A service to celebrate the life of Rigo will be held on Saturdayat 3:30 p.m. in the house that Rigo built, 1435 Old Tale Road, Boulder, CO 80303. A reception will follow the service.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The Colorado Mountain Club Foundation, 710 10th St., Suite 200, Golden, CO 80401, 303-279-3080 or The American Alpine Club, 710 10th Street, Suite 100, Golden, CO 80401, 303-384-0110.