BELTZ, William [Tom]

Guest Book "Hi Mary, Marianne Trout here. I was reading an obituary of..." William (Tom) Beltz, 64, died May 12 while bicycling in Illinois. Tom was born in Detroit, Michigan in 1948. He graduated from Grosse Pointe High School (MI) in 1966. Tom earned his bachelors degree from Michigan State University and graduated from Washington University Law School in 1973. Tom practiced personal injury and adoption law in Colorado Springs for 38 years, partnering with Daniel West since 1997. He united over 3,000 children with loving families. He served on the District #11 school board and Colorado Limited Gaming Control Commission. Tom was a member of the El Paso Bar Association, the Colorado Bar Association and a fellow of the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys; he was certified as a Civil Trial Advocate by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Tom also served as volunteer instructor of the Pro Se Adoption Clinic for two decades teaching indigent families how to complete adoptions without the need of an attorney. Among Tom's favorite pastimes were visiting all the US National Parks and cheering for Michigan State Spartan sports. He served as Vice President for the Pikes Peak Amateur Hockey Association. He also refereed high school and college hockey for Colorado College and US Air Force Academy, played soft ball and hockey, and rode his bicycle over 60,000 miles. Tom is survived by his wife Mary, sons Bill (Tricia) Dearborn, Michigan and Mick (Rebecca) Grand Forks, North Dakota, grandsons Bryan and Alex, brothers Skip (Linda) and Bob (Anna) and sisters Amy (John) Hatch, Carol (Rich) Marks and Joy (Mark) O'Keefe and many nieces and nephews. A Celebration of Tom's life will take place at Palmer High School Auditorium on Tuesday, May 22 @ 5:00 pm. In lieu of flowers a donation account has been established in the name of Beltz Foundation and can be sent to any branch of U S Bank.. Published in The Gazette on May 19, 2012