Obituary of Theodore Hamacher

On Sunday, January 8, 2012 a great man went to be with the Lord. Theodore Ray “Shorty” Hamacher age 83 of Simla, Colorado passed away at the Penrose Main Hospital in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He was born in a little farmhouse on March 21, 1928 in rural Matheson, Colorado. Shorty was the son of Theodore Victor and Ruby Faye (Dunn) Hamacher. He was baptized at the age of 14 on December 31, 1942 at the Community Evangelical Church at the Watch Night Service by T.A. Marks. When Shorty was in 8th grade at the age of 13, his father told him he was done with school and it was time to start helping him drill wells. Shorty’s dad sent him to Deer Trail, Colorado to drill. From 8th grade on, Shorty drilled wells for a living. Work became a hobby for Shorty and it was because he never considered work, work. He loved what he did and he was great at it. No job was too big or too small for Shorty. He would never ask anyone to do a job that he wouldn’t do himself. He taught his children and grandchildren how to drill and owned and operated Hamacher Well Works in Simla, Colorado for over 60 years. He was blessed to be able to find and live out his passion. Shorty and the love of his life, Bonnie Dolores (Nickell) Hamacher met and fell in love as young teenagers in Simla, Colorado. They were married on June 11, 1946 at Simla Baptist Church. They were the first couple to be married at that church. They then moved to his fathers ranch south of Matheson where they farmed beans, wheat, raised cattle and drilled wells. Shorty and Bonnie have five children together, Alan Ray, Beverly, Dawna Lou, Brenda and Ted. As a young man, Shorty enjoyed horseback riding and spent much time breaking horses. He also enjoyed elk hunting, water skiing, boating, and riding motorcycles. He was never afraid to try something new and different. Shorty and his wife Bonnie embarked on many adventures together. They enjoyed traveling all over the United States together in their motor home and spent a lot of time in Las Vegas, Tucson and Oklahoma visiting family. They had so much fun together enjoying the sights and scenery along their travels. They always visited family or friends who were along their journey. Bonnie and Shorty went on many cruises to Alaska, Virgin Islands, and Mexico. They also went on family trips with their children to beautiful resorts in Hawaii, Mexico and Jamaica. Shorty was a man who truly cared about people. His family, friends and community were always very dear to his heart, and he took pride in giving back to others. He is described as a man who would give the shirt off his own back for anybody needing help while never thinking twice about it. Shorty helped many people in his community as well as helping his congregation re-purchase their church from the Methodist Conference when it switched and became the Matheson Community Bible Church. Shorty was always a gentle soul. He was a man of great integrity and was greatly respected by his family, colleagues and the community that he loved so much. Shorty had a way with children. Although his hands may have be torn and calloused from work, he gently held his 5 children, 14 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. His loving hands will be greatly missed by the three great grandchildren who are on the way. Shorty’s spirit, his character and his legacy will live forever through his loving family. Shorty was a member of the Matheson Community Bible Church in Matheson, CO; a member of the Better Business Bureau; the National Ground Association, the Colorado Division of Water Resources; and the Colorado Water Well Association. He is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Bonnie, two sons, Alan Ray Hamacher (wife Sandy) of Simla, Colorado and Theodore Eugene (wife Bonnie Jo) of Simla, Colorado; two daughters, Dawna Lou Eurich (husband Gordon) of Simla, Colorado and Brenda Kay Rigden (husband Greg) of Highlands Ranch, Colorado; one brother, Darriel Hamacher; four sisters, Ilene Allison, Betty Hall, Dolly Atkins and Darlene Holliman; fourteen grandchildren; and thirteen great grandchildren. Shorty was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and his loving daughter, Beverly Sue Schifferns.