John R. Ludwig
October 22, 1935 - June 2, 2018

John passed away early Saturday morning at Penrose Hospital with family members and an amazing group of staff members at his side. He was 82.

He is pre-deceased by his father, Albert C. Ludwig, and his mother, Betty O. (Reifschneider).

He considered himself a native to Colorado Springs. Shortly after his birth in Fort Dodge, Iowa, his family moved to Colorado Springs and settled in the North End.

In his youth, John worked at the Broadmoor Ice Palace and was on the Young American Hockey League Red Wings team playing center and wing positions. He had to finagle a special driver’s license out of Colorado Springs’ old time Chief of Police “Dad” Bruce in order to drive to and from work and practice. He attended Colorado Springs High School where he also played hockey and wrestled. His all-time favorite hockey player was Bobby Orr.

John was an avid Broncos and Avalanche fan. His fervor for hockey remained until the day of his death. The family is certain he is displeased that the Capitals won Saturday’s round!

John enlisted in the United States Marine Corps Reserves serving from 1952 until his discharge in 1960. He reached the rank of Corporal and qualified as a sharp shooter.

John was a lifelong sportsman and traveled to some of the most desirable fishing and hunting locations in the world including New Zealand, Bahamas, Costa Rica, Alaska, Mexico and of course all over Colorado. His fly tying skills resulted in amazing works of art on a hook. And they caught fish too.

John worked for the Colorado Department of Highways. He began his career as an engineering laborer/surveyor and retired as a Project Engineer. His first challenging project was putting a two-lane paved road (Academy Blvd.) to the Air Force Academy. It had to be completed before the first game at the Falcon football stadium. A few of his projects prior to retirement were supervising the Academy Blvd.-Austin Bluffs Pkwy.-Templeton Gap nexus, as well as the Garden of the Gods and I-25 interchange. John received multiple commendations during his career but the one he was proudest of was the one he received overseeing the rebuilding of Highway 67 after the Deckers flood in 1973. In homage to his beloved Colorado outdoors, he contoured the road to accommodate fly fishing ponds and other flora and fauna to minimize erosion from the river’s course and preserve Colorado wildlife.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Ginger, whom he adored; and his children: Chris, Leslie (David) Gannon; his grandson, Ryan; and his brother, Albert.

In lieu of flowers and in honor of John, the family asks the following: 1.) slow down in the cone zones and keep our Colorado road crews safe. They work in scorching hot and freezing cold road conditions and deserve our respect; 2) When in the great outdoors, pick up the trash – even if it isn’t yours; 3) Always. Always… Safety First!

Arrangements are with the Shrine of Remembrance. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Holy Apostles Catholic Church, 4925 N. Carefree Cir., Colorado Springs, CO 80917. Funeral Service will begin at 10 o’clock a.m. on Saturday, June 16, 2018 with reception following. Interment will be at Fairview Cemetery, 1000 S. 26th St., Colorado Springs, CO 80904.

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