Life Story for Edwin Richard "Ed" Ludvik
EDWIN (ED) RICHARD LUDVIK September 12, 1952 - April 9, 2019
Ed was born in Walsenburg to Jim (1926-2010) and Anne Ludvik (1927-1996). He graduated from Walsenburg High School in 1970, graduated from Colorado State University and passed the Certified Public Accountancy exam on the first sitting.
Ed started his career in 1974 with local CPA firm in Denver and transitioned to the Vice President of Finance and Administration of a publicly traded Company. Ed then became a management consultant with a firm in North Carolina. Ed moved back to Denver taking a job with a bank holding company before returning to Walsenburg where he entered the familly business, Ludvik Propane Gas. He took over the business in 1997 and then sold the operations in September 2010. Ed was a member of the National and the Colorado Propane Gas Associations and at its 2011 convention the Colorado Propane Gas Association presented Ed with the first annual "Pioneer" award which it established to recognize those who helped build the propane industry in Colorado.
Ed also became deeply involved in the economic development of the community. Ed was instrumental in bringing the fire suit manufacturer, Quest Enterprises, Inc. and Walsenburg Insurance company, to Walsenburg. Ed personally provided free rental space to both as an inducement and helped Quest Enterprises, Inc. obtain financing through the county's revolving loan board on which he served.
When the Hospital Board proposed closing the hospital in favor of contracting for medical services, Ed's analysis determined that the negative economic and medical services impact were detrimental to the community. He was elected and served as chairman of the hospital board for the next twelve years. Ed worked with Veteran's Service Officer Ed Joseph and pushed State and Federal officials for something that had never been done before, a combined VA nursing home and local hospital that would allow for cost effective construction and operational costs. It culminated in the Spanish Peaks Regional Health Center. Along with many others who gave their time and expertise, Ed also assisted in the recruitment of doctors, the 1989 bond election, the Federal Veterans Administration and State government negotiations and certifications, the permits and the actual construction resulting in the opening of the facility in 1993. Soon after, a medical office building and then a dialysis center were added.
Ed loved golf and was elected to the Walsenburg Golf Association Board and became an expert in sprinkler systems and greens management. Ed also purchased needed carts for lease to the course.
In recognition of his contributions to the community, The Spanish Peaks Community Foundation honored Ed in 2012 with his induction into the Spanish Peaks Legends Hall of Fame.
Ed is survived by his brother James (Nancy) Ludvik, his sister Barbara (Rich) Giles, nieces and nephews Terri (Bob) Snell, Scott (Tracy) Ludvik, Shelley (Willy) Colby, Rick Giles and Jeff Giles, five great nieces and nephews as well as numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. He will be greatly missed by his former wife, Gaylene Zellar, as well as his long-time friends and golf and poker buddies.
The rosary is at St. Mary Catholic Church, 121 East 7th Street, Walsenburg, Colorado at 7:00 pm on Friday, May 3, 2019. A funeral mass will be held on Saturday May 4, 2019 at 1:00 pm at St. Mary's with a reception to follow at the Walsenburg Golf Course clubhouse.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made in Ed's name to Sister Carol's Senior Outreach
DONATIONS CAN BE MADE TO SISTER CAROL, SENIOR OUTREACH, 324 E. 7th St., WALSENBURG, CO. 81089
Ed was born in Walsenburg to Jim (1926-2010) and Anne Ludvik (1927-1996). He graduated from Walsenburg High School in 1970, graduated from Colorado State University and passed the Certified Public Accountancy exam on the first sitting.
Ed started his career in 1974 with local CPA firm in Denver and transitioned to the Vice President of Finance and Administration of a publicly traded Company. Ed then became a management consultant with a firm in North Carolina. Ed moved back to Denver taking a job with a bank holding company before returning to Walsenburg where he entered the familly business, Ludvik Propane Gas. He took over the business in 1997 and then sold the operations in September 2010. Ed was a member of the National and the Colorado Propane Gas Associations and at its 2011 convention the Colorado Propane Gas Association presented Ed with the first annual "Pioneer" award which it established to recognize those who helped build the propane industry in Colorado.
Ed also became deeply involved in the economic development of the community. Ed was instrumental in bringing the fire suit manufacturer, Quest Enterprises, Inc. and Walsenburg Insurance company, to Walsenburg. Ed personally provided free rental space to both as an inducement and helped Quest Enterprises, Inc. obtain financing through the county's revolving loan board on which he served.
When the Hospital Board proposed closing the hospital in favor of contracting for medical services, Ed's analysis determined that the negative economic and medical services impact were detrimental to the community. He was elected and served as chairman of the hospital board for the next twelve years. Ed worked with Veteran's Service Officer Ed Joseph and pushed State and Federal officials for something that had never been done before, a combined VA nursing home and local hospital that would allow for cost effective construction and operational costs. It culminated in the Spanish Peaks Regional Health Center. Along with many others who gave their time and expertise, Ed also assisted in the recruitment of doctors, the 1989 bond election, the Federal Veterans Administration and State government negotiations and certifications, the permits and the actual construction resulting in the opening of the facility in 1993. Soon after, a medical office building and then a dialysis center were added.
Ed loved golf and was elected to the Walsenburg Golf Association Board and became an expert in sprinkler systems and greens management. Ed also purchased needed carts for lease to the course.
In recognition of his contributions to the community, The Spanish Peaks Community Foundation honored Ed in 2012 with his induction into the Spanish Peaks Legends Hall of Fame.
Ed is survived by his brother James (Nancy) Ludvik, his sister Barbara (Rich) Giles, nieces and nephews Terri (Bob) Snell, Scott (Tracy) Ludvik, Shelley (Willy) Colby, Rick Giles and Jeff Giles, five great nieces and nephews as well as numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. He will be greatly missed by his former wife, Gaylene Zellar, as well as his long-time friends and golf and poker buddies.
The rosary is at St. Mary Catholic Church, 121 East 7th Street, Walsenburg, Colorado at 7:00 pm on Friday, May 3, 2019. A funeral mass will be held on Saturday May 4, 2019 at 1:00 pm at St. Mary's with a reception to follow at the Walsenburg Golf Course clubhouse.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made in Ed's name to Sister Carol's Senior Outreach
DONATIONS CAN BE MADE TO SISTER CAROL, SENIOR OUTREACH, 324 E. 7th St., WALSENBURG, CO. 81089