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In Memoriam ~ Caswell E. Rico-Silver ’90

Caswell E. Rico-Silver ’90, age 46, of Salida died March 16, 2019, at his home after battling cancer.

He was born July 13, 1972, to Anne Silver and Alfonso Rico. He grew up in Colorado, mostly in Crestone, with his mother, ranching and skateboarding his way to school in Moffat. He traveled to Minnesota to attend high school at Saint John’s Prep and then to Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine. He graduated from Bowdoin in 1994 with a bachelor’s degree in geology/earth science. After living on the East Coast, he returned to Colorado and made his home in Salida.

Caswell began his career at Monarch Ski Area in 1995. He worked on ski patrol, earning his directorship in 2005. As director he was the head of snow safety and the Physicians/Nurses Volunteer Program. He coordinated with Flight for Life and the Colorado Department of Transportation, as well as overseeing the Monarch snowcat terrain area, and he advocated for the Avi-Dog Program. From 2001 to 2013, he owned and operated Whitewater Wraps, traveling to bluegrass and folk music festivals with his friend and business partner, Scott Pressly. In 2009 he and wife, Janna, became partners with Ray and Penny Kitson in Boathouse Cantina until 2017.

He loved eating and cooking good food and introduced his daughter, Haley, to sushi at age 4. He enjoyed watching all sports but most of all football. He loved to travel and was always game for a road trip. Caswell loved his dog, Turbo, although he said he was disappointed that a three-legged Chihuahua could never be an Avi-Dog. His family said he laughed hysterically at funny cat videos. They said he biked, hiked, ran and experienced some incredible river trips, but above all he loved skiing, especially with Haley.

Caswell was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Caswell and Elizabeth Silver, and his father.

Survivors include his mothers, Anne Silver and Anny Rico; wife, Janna Rico-Silver; daughter, Haley McCoy; sisters, Ana Rico (Erik) Mateljan and Marisa Rico (Samuel) Lozano; nieces, Emilija and Elena; stepsister, Wendy Philleo; stepbrothers, Steve, Dean and Bradley Philleo; aunt, Sue (Ali) Harivandi; cousins, Zsaleh and Mithra; and great-uncle Leon (Arlana) Silver.

A memorial service and celebration of his life will be at 4 p.m. April 9, 2019, at the Salida Steam Plant ballroom. Afterwards, a memory-sharing gathering will take place at 8 p.m. at Boathouse Cantina. Arrangements are with Lewis and Glenn Funeral Home in Salida. Online condolences may be offered at lewisandglenn.com.