Scott Koski passed away on Thanksgiving Day, surrounded by family and lots of food, just as he would have liked it. This was his last gift to us to remind us to be grateful for all the love and people in our lives. In the months leading up to his death, he was showered with love from around the world. People came from near and far to spend a little more time with him and feel that special connection he was able to make with everyone he knew.
He is survived by his wife, Betina, his sons, Chris and Kyle, his mother, Kae, and his sisters Anne, Kristin, and Lynne. He was predeceased by his father, Ted.
Scott lived a truly amazing life. Born in Iowa in 1964, he lived in New Jersey and Mountain Brook, Alabama, where he played football, basketball, and baseball before he graduated in 1983. He then went on to play football for Princeton.
At Princeton he was fondly known as ‘Ski. Those who knew him then will remember his cowboy boots, cowboy hat, big jean jacket and even bigger smile. He married his college sweetheart, Betina, and the two began their life together.
Although he was born in Iowa, his heart was Brazilian. When asked to describe his time in Brazil, he often likened it to Forest Gump. He helped elect a president, aided residents of favelas, and became deeply involved in social change engine Ashoka. He also learned to dance a mean samba and greet those he loved with a big bear hug,
Scott was kind, brave, generous, funny, loving, adventurous, perceptive, strong willed and driven by serving others. He brought all these qualities to everything he did, especially raising Chris and Kyle. They were the joys of his life. He also found time to be of service to so many groups - Intercambio, The People's Clinic, Boulder Housing Partners and most importantly, the Rocky Mountain Rescue Group, where he found his second family.
Never one to back down from a challenge, at the ripe old age of 42 be decided to go to medical school where he found his calling as a child psychiatrist. Those of us who have been the recipients of his wise counsel and open-hearted listening for years were not surprised. We will miss him dearly but he will forever live on in our hearts.
He could still beat his son Kyle at basketball at 54.
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In lieu of cut flowers, which fade...
please consider giving to the Rocky Mountain Rescue Group and let them know it is in Scott's honor. Scott lent time and strength to the rescue for over 15 years. The group provides essential rescue services to over 150 calls a year and no one is ever charged for their services. And the deep friends he made through the rescue group were with him night and day through his illness helping him and his family through it all.
We are also creating Scott’s Garden in the spring, a space in nature where people can remember the love, generosity, and good advice of our dear Scott. He asked that instead of a formal memorial, we celebrate his life as he celebrated so many things through the years - with a BBQ in his backyard with friends, family, laughs and lots of hugs.
If you would like to join us to plant the garden in the spring and/or you have ideas for the space, or you would like to join our memorial BBQ please sign up here and we will reach out to you with more details in the spring. If you would like to donate to the supply fund for the garden, you can give here.