Kollmar, Melvin Leroy, 84 years, passed away on June 17, 2024, in Wheatridge, CO. Mel lived in Thornton, CO with his daughter Carrie Kollmar. He was born in Brunswick, NE, and spent his early childhood years in Oakdale, NE. Older childhood and high school was spent in Norfolk, NE. Mel served in the Army National Guard in the 1950's and was married to Wilhelmine Lowe in 1969.

He held various careers such as a salesman, a developer of commercial cleaning products, a bookkeeper for a printing business, and a precious metals sales negotiator in multiple countries throughout Asia. He was passionate about bringing alternative energy resources to the world and worked very closely with Rockwell Scientific Research in Las Vegas for nearly two decades. Mel was also known to be an adept mechanic and handyman.

He is survived by one daughter, Carrie, his two grandsons, Jesse Layland Caraballo and Joseph Holling Caraballo, and his brother David Short of Stevinson, WA. Mel was preceded in death by his mother Delia Darlene Anderson and brothers Carl, Roger, and Elton Kollmar.

A celebration of Mel's life is to be held Sunday, July 14, 2024, at 5:00 pm, at Stranahan's Distillery, 200 S Kalamath St, Denver, CO 80223. The documentary made in 2021 about Mel and his 1958 Ford pickup truck can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/2ZpRNWLBsCQ?si=wGdUlnagckDkI0vB&t=1 . Please go to the guest book and share your stories and memories.

CELEBRATION OF LIFE MEMORIES

There were many who were unable to make it to Mel Kollmar's Celebration of Life on July 14, 2024 in Denver, CO. Also, several who were able to make it who have requested I share one or all of the following, so these are now clickable links through my Google Drive. Please share with anyone who I have missed, that you know would want to have any of this content.

Thank you to all who helped me arrange this celebration. It really does take a village. Thank you to those who have supported me in the past few months, as I traversed a very challenging time in my life.  I know in my heart with 100% certainty that my Daddy is very happy with how things have all turned out.

Attached are:

1. Videos of each person who spoke at the Celebration of Mel at Stranahan's Distillery which was held on July 14, 2024 through Google Drive. You should be able to click on the link and watch the videos. There are 9 in total: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1CuA3P4bWvI2JCmYHvAee3e7fWg_o6d_Z?usp=drive_link

2. Slideshow of photographs, courtesy of grandson, Jesse  Caraballo: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VFHmb7iFA3NzcSbqt4R7jiJnI0IwBGt5/view?usp=drive_link

3 Playlist of Mel's favorite music: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/01R1IUGaTt7qzMPAue4yp7?si=0fee9937764d49b7

4. Photos from the celebration: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1E7Q1tujHuyhRGRDuzJf7hclemEYPqT6e?usp=drive_link

Mel's wisdom:
"Everything takes longer and costs more than you think it's going to".

"Use the correct tool for the job". Many thanks to Erik Light for making the outstanding film about my dad and Ole Blue. At the time we could not have known how treasured it has become, and how much it has touched the lives of so many people. The link to the film is here: https://youtu.be/2ZpRNWLBsCQ?si=FndEUZegsBDixc3