Richard Brookhaus

Rich Brookhaus was born May 21, 1954 in Des Moines, Iowa. He was the 1st child of Dick and Judy (Smith) Brookhaus (both deceased). Rich enjoyed spending summers in Iowa helping his Granny Smith with her chickens and later helping on his Uncle Dick Smith’s farm and playing with his 4 cousins. His dad’s job moved the family to various homes in Iowa, South Dakota and Colorado. The family finally settled in Coralville, IA. Rich had a sister Jodie (deceased) and a brother Jim. Rich played football (where he got the nickname ‘Scooter’), ran track (the 440) and was a manager of the basketball team at West High School, Iowa City, IA. After graduating from West High School in 1972, he attended the University of Iowa, where he ran track and met his future bride, Pauline Dority.

Rich and Pauline were married on September 20, 1975. Rich started his lifelong occupation of carpentry in Iowa. He started by remodeling homes. His cousins owned a home framing company in Colorado, so Rich and Pauline moved to Denver in 1978. Rich started framing track homes but soon moved on to frame huge custom homes for the rich. He even built a log home up in Evergreen, CO. Rich owned his own framing company, Ponderosa Framing, Inc. Unfortunately, in 2001 he had to close his framing company and he returned to the remodel business.  He did some handy-man work for John Elway.  He started working for Dale Nelson doing remodeling in the mountains and the metro area. During a slow time in the remodel business, Rich worked for Heath Consultants looking for gas leaks for Xcel. He had to walk many miles everyday. Rich also made cabinets for a time. He went back to remodeling with Dale and worked with him until June 2023.  

Rich and Pauline have 3 kids. Lori, Zach and Eli . The family enjoyed exploring Colorado, Utah, Nevada, Arizona, Washington, South Dakota, Missouri, Illinois, Wyoming and California. They all learned to snow ski (both downhill and cross country). They took rafting trips down Brown’s Canyon. Rich climbed Longs Peak 4 times (once with Pauline). He played softball with a church league. Rich and Pauline were part of a bowling league in the early 80s. The family enjoyed many vacations with Pauline’s sister Lori and her family who live in southern California. Rich loved the beach, learning to boogie board. He especially liked Newport Beach. Rich saved every ticket stub from every event (movies, concerts, car races, baseball games) he attended. He caught a baseball at a Rockies game.

Rich and Pauline welcomed their 1st granddaughter Mia . She was the apple of her grandpa’s eye. Lori married Elliot Engel and blessed us with 5 more grandchildren Paisley, William, Ransom, MeriJane, and Ezekiel. Eli married Amanda. Zach married Lynn and blessed us with a granddaughter, Scarlett.  

Rich bought a 1974 Nova from Zach in the early 2000’s. He went up to Bandimere Speedway with a friend and was hooked. He started racing his car up there. He had a group of buddies that hung out and raced together up at the track. He attended a Bible Study there too. Rich was baptized in the lake at Bear Creek Lake Park by Bandimere’s chaplain, Ken Webb. He attended the Mile High Nationals (NHRA) for years. Rich’s last race was September 2, 2023.

In August of 2021, Rich was diagnosed with stage 3 Pancreatic cancer. In early 2023, the cancer had spread to his liver. During all this time, Rich continued to work, play golf, travel and enjoy his church.  

On September 4th, Rich went to the ER with terrible stomach pain. The doctors believe he had a perforation in his stomach or intestines. The perforation led to sepsis and sepsis led to multi organ failure. Rich refused to give up. He fought valiantly as the doctors tried to restore his health. Unfortunately, too much damage had been done and he moved to Collier hospice at the end of September. On October 4, 2023 at 4 AM, with Pauline by his side, Rich met Jesus, his Lord and Savior, face to face.