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Obituary for Don D. Schlup
Don D. Schlup, age 82 of Greenwood Village, CO, passed away from leukemia on Wednesday, September 25, 2019, with his family by his side. Don made significant contributions to treating Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) through his participation in two clinical trials at University Hospital of Colorado.
Don was born April 30, 1937, on a farm near Jamestown, Missouri, to Ursie and Albert Schlup. He lived on the farm with his parents and brother, Hilton, until they moved to California, Missouri when he was 11 years old. In high school, Don was on the debate team, yearbook, played softball and was Student Body President. Don always enjoyed fishing and hunting as well.
Work has never been an issue for Don. He lost his dad at age 15 and bagged groceries to help support the family. He also worked at the trucking dock before attending Central Missouri State in Warrensburg, Missouri. He put himself through college by being the head steward in the dining hall and working construction during the summers in Yellowstone National Park. If you’ve ever been to Yellowstone, you likely have driven over one of the bridges Don helped to build!
Don was in the TEKE fraternity at Central Missouri State and majored in biology with a strong emphasis in ecology. He was interested in teaching, and his first job brought him to Denver where he taught science at Grant Jr. High. While at Grant, he met the love of his life, a fellow teacher, Margaret Hubbard. They met in the fall of 1963 and were married the following August. Don and Margo went back to Warrensburg where Don earned his Master of Biology. They then moved back to Colorado where Don taught at Thomas Jefferson High School from 1964-1968. Their family was complete when Lisa was born in 1968 and David in 1970.
Don left teaching to purchase ScienTurfic Sod Farms in March of 1968. Don always said he never left teaching. He just changed classrooms and the ages of the students! He was an astute businessman yet had finesse and integrity that garnered respect in his industry. He was honored by the Ethics in Business Alliance, served as President of Rocky Mountain Sod Growers Association, was part of Turfgrass Producers International, worked on the advisory committee for Denver Water, and established a conservation easement on his farm that includes a mentor hunting program for youth. He was a firm boss but adored his employees, many of whom worked for him for 25 even 35 years.
Don’s volunteer activities seem endless. While at St. Andrew United Methodist, Don led work teams to Mexico, was on the finance committee and served as a youth group leader. He was involved with The Denver Foundation and was a strong supporter and sponsor for Project C.U.R.E. His Denver Rotary Club was very important to him as well. Among other things, he was a Rotary Paul Harris Fellow, Foundation Trustee and pancake flipper at the annual peach sale breakfast! Don and Margo have been very involved at Colorado Christian University and even established an academic scholarship there. Don also loved his role with Margo as Deacons at Cherry Creek Presbyterian, and many received his firm handshake and warm greeting on Sunday mornings.
Don was extremely proud of his family -- son, David, daughter, Lisa, son-in-law, Doug, and grandchildren Jacob and Abby. Times at Nuggets and Broncos games, going on elk hunts, traveling the world and being involved in their various activities were his favorite things. Don deeply treasured friendships. One of the ways he expressed that was by making calls to hundreds every Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter. We will miss your voice, Don, but your spirit lives on. Thank you for touching so many lives!
Donations in honor of Don may be made to the Leukemia Research Fund Online giving: https://giving.cu.edu/fund/pollyea-leukemia-research-fund In special instructions please note, “In memory of Don Schlup.”
Mailing information: University of Colorado Foundation; P.O. Box 17126; Denver, CO 80217 Checks payable to: CU Foundation Memo line of check: “Pollyea Leukemia Research Fund #0222406 in memory of Don Schlup.”
https://giving.cu.edu/fund/pollyea-leukemia-research-fund. In special instructions please note: “In memory Don Schlup” Mailing information: University of Colorado Foundation Please make checks payable to “CU Foundation” and on the memo line of the check, please note “Pollyea Leukemia Research Fund #0222406 in memory of Don Schlup”
