Alfred Oscar Saterdal

Alfred Oscar Saterdal

Alfred (Al) O. Saterdal, a very generous and gifted man, passed away peacefully in his home on Tuesday June 9th, 2015.  He was preceded in death by his wife, Wanda Mae Saterdal and is survived by his loving companion Karen Potter her sons, Micah and Lucas  and his three children, Richard Saterdal, Holly Thompson and her husband Randy, and Deidre Hammond and her husband Wade.

Al was born in Medford, MA on November 20, 1921.  After saving enough money for a Greyhound bus ticket, he traveled from Massachusetts to Butte, MT where he received a bachelor of Science, Geological Engineer degree while working in the local copper mines.  After graduation in 1945, he joined The Texas Company as a geologist at Shelby, Montana.  In 1954 he left The Texas Company to join Wm. Ross Cabeen and Associates in Denver, working along with Bud Ogle and Earl (Griff) Griffith.  In 1960, Al joined Argonaut Oil and Gas Consultants in partnership with Bud and Griff.  Most of his efforts from 1960 through 1967 involved prospect origination which led to Argonaut participating in seven oil/gas discoveries in the Rocky Mountains.  

In 1981, he received AIG’s Martin Van Couvering Memorial Award given for outstanding and meritorious contributions to the American Institute of Professional Geologist and the geological profession.  Among his numerous awards and accolades, Al also received a commendation from the City of Cherry Hills Village for his faithful service with the Planning and Zoning Commission, 1963 through 1977, and A Patriot of the Year in 2007 recognition for his kindness, thoughtfulness, constant caring, and unselfish generosity towards worthwhile charitable causes.     

In the late 1960’s Al became interested in creating a mountain recreational community in the Rocky Mountains.  He looked at many areas in northwest Colorado before discovering a location in the Yampa Valley area of Routt County that had the potential for creating a new ski area, a recreational lake and a golf course within a beautiful residential community.  He and his MountainAir partners began purchasing land about 20 miles south of Steamboat Springs in an area known today as Stagecoach.  MountainAir eventually sold this land and the Stagecoach recreational community concept to Woodmoor Corporation which then began developing the community.

Although Woodmoor never completed building the roads and utilities it had planned for Stagecoach, Al and his partners built roads and utilities for the Morrison Divide Ranch, Greenridge Ranch and Blue Valley Ranch subdivisions, as well as parts of Rock Point Trail, all within the Stagecoach area.  The Stagecoach community, adjacent to Stagecoach State Park, is now a residential resort community offering hiking, biking, fishing, boating, cross country skiing and dog sledding in a beautiful natural setting.

Al’s life was filled with public service.  He was a commissioner on the Cherry Hills Village Planning Commission.  He was also instrumental in forming the Cherry Hills Parks and Trails Association, and was elected to be its first president.  He served multiple terms on the Stagecoach Property Owner’s Association Board of Directors, and the title of "Director Emeritus" was bestowed on him by the Board for his years of dedicated service.

Al enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, skiing in the Rockies, horseback riding along the bridal paths which he helped create in Cherry Hills Village, hosting neighborhood get-togethers and supporting fiscally responsible causes and political candidates.   He loved taking pictures of his family during travels across the US, Mexico, Hawaii, Europe and Australia.  At one time he had a darkroom set up in his home where he enjoyed developing the photos he took.

A private celebration of life was held for Al at his home.  Donations in his memory may be made to the Denver Dumb Friends League or a charity of choice.

Family and friends are encouraged to sign Al's guest book by clicking on the tab at the top of the obituary, or the bottom right hand of the page.