December 29, 1929 ~ December 30, 2021 (age 92)
Richard F. (“Dick”) Borchardt, loving husband and father of four children, slipped away on December 30, 2021, at the age of 92, to his loving Lord and Savior at Tru Community Care Hospice in Longmont United Hospital, with his wife Rowena by his side.
Dick was born on December 29, 1929, in Atlantic, Iowa, to Ernest and Cordie (Smith) Borchardt. He married his high school sweetheart, Rowena Steffens, on April 30, 1950, at First Lutheran Church in Wiota, Iowa. They raised four children – Fred, Diane, Denise and Scott. Dick worked as a Chevrolet mechanic at Linke Chevrolet in Atlantic, and moved the family to Boulder, Colorado, in 1959. He began work as a builder, eventually starting his own construction company building custom homes and cabinetry in the Boulder/Denver area for 30 years. He also built seven homes for his family and a cabin outside of Nederland, Colorado, where the family spent many years happily exploring the outdoors by hiking and riding motorcycles with friends and family. This is also where Dick created his famous beer pancake recipe.
Dick and Rowena joined GWRRA and loved riding their Goldwing to many rallies, visiting nearly all 50 states in addition to crossing Canada twice. When they weren’t riding motorcycles, you could find Dick and Rowena on a cruise. After purchasing a motorhome, they visited Mesa, Arizona, for six months each year for 20 years where they made several lifelong friends and perfected the Art of Happy Hour. They took nine trips to Bahia Kino, Mexico, traveling with their friends Dick and Annis Allen, spending two months each year fishing and riding bikes. Dick and Rowena were also avid Broncos and Colorado Buffalo football fans.
Dick was preceded in death by his mother and father, his brothers Bob and Jimmy, and his sister MaryAnn. Dick is survived by his wife Rowena and his four children – Fred and Debbie Borchardt, Diane and Chris Pike, Denise and Mike Devecka, and Scott and Nancy Borchardt. In addition, he is survived by the following nine grandchildren: Lani Lee (Jeremy Perkins); Josh (Heather) and Bjorn (Crystal) Borchardt; Shanon (Owen) Searls; Zachary (Ashley) Borchardt; Jordan, Kevan and Travis Pike; and Kirstin Holum, as well as the following 10 great grandchildren: Jasmine and Ayden Borchardt; Payten, Camryn and twin boys Cash and Blake Borchardt; Ella and Reese Borchardt; Daniel Lee; and Jazz Wakeman Pike. Nieces and nephews include Brent, Holly, Michele and Susan.
A service to celebrate Dick’s life will be held on April 30, 2022 (which would have been their 72nd anniversary) at Carroll-Lewellen in Longmont. Details to follow.
