| 6/17/2008 9:28:00 AM | Email this article • Print this article |
Nick Standing Bear
Nick Standing Bear, 63 of Poncha Springs, died June 13, 2008. He was born May 13, 1945, in La Jara.
He served two enlistments in the U.S. Army and one Vietnam tour as a ranger and medic and was honorably discharged.
When he lived in Denver, he was an insurance agent and owner of Standing Bear Insurance Agency. Hobbies included archery, stock car racing, hunting, fishing, raising horses, knife making and fly-tying.
After moving to Poncha Springs more than 20 years ago, Standing Bear focused on his Indian heritage and became a Native American historian. He consulted at schools and universities locally and across the country.
Standing Bear volunteered with the office of the state archeologist, state land board, forest service and Narragansett Tribe of Rhode Island. He was a Native American Healer and Pipe Holder with the Lakota and Apache nations.
Memberships included Colorado Rock Art Association and San Luis Valley Archeological Network.
His greatest passion was the non-profit Native American Research Association co-founded with Becky Donlan.
In their effort to create awareness of many sacred sites in the area, they produced the power-point "Sacred Stones" and a calendar with photographs of various sites.
The work of the non-profit organization resulted in the recognition of many sacred sites in South Park and the San Luis Valley by the Smithsonian Institution and New England Antiquities Association.
Ms. Donlan will continue working on the project on behalf of Standing Bear and the research association.
Survivors include daughters, Susanne Valdez (D.J. Brown), Barbara Lennie, April (Jess) Contreras; grandchildren, Andrew and Tyler Lennie; spiritual life partner, Becky Donlan; her children, Bob Stanley and Alicia (Mike) Baroni; her granddaughters, Nicole and Lindsey Baroni; numerous brothers and sisters.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Lucille Valdez.
A Native American memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. June 18, 2008, at Riverside Park Amphitheater where community and friends may attend to celebrate his life and memory.
Arrangements are with Lewis and Glenn Funeral Home, Salida.
|
Article Comment Submission Form
|
