Harold Hugh Hiatt, affectionately known as "Hughie," passed away on Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, at the age of 82. He fought bravely in his last few years, continuing to embrace his bachelor days at his long-term residence in Alamosa.
Born on Nov. 15, 1941, in Alamosa to Mary Veretta Jackson and Harold Ray "Bill" Hiatt, Hughie was the eldest of three siblings.
He is survived by his sister, Judith "Sam" Morgan and Janet Griego Malouff. (Deceased)
Hugh attended Alamosa High School, where he excelled in football, basketball, and track.
Hugh married Cheryl Horn, and together they had three daughters: Rhonda Hiatt (Hellwig) Jones, spouse Nathan Jones, Son; Travis Otto Hellwig, Kimberly Hiatt and Tammy Hiatt Monaco, Sons; Luca Hiatt Monaco, Giovanni Hiatt Monaco. The family enjoyed their life in Alamosa, reminiscing about the days when Main Street ran both ways and was meant to be dragged.
Hiatt’s athletic prowess and the legendary coaching of Coach Vigil made the 1960 Class reunions memorable. In 1961, Hugh attended Adams State College to play football, after which he enlisted in the Army. Stationed in Berlin, Germany, he traveled throughout Europe with the Berlin Bears Air Force football team.
“HHH” was fiercely independent, courageous, and a risk-taker, known for his adventurous spirit. Hiatt’s anniversary of 41 years of sobriety was noted this March.
Hugh held various formative jobs in his early years before joining the D & RG Railroad. He found his calling working outdoors as a Lineman/Foreman with the Public Service Company of Colorado, retiring in 2001 after 37 years of service. Even in retirement, he cherished meeting with his line crew for coffee around town.
Hugh was dedicated to his daily routine of having breakfast at the Campus Cafe community table, he relished walking in the door after surgeries and health setbacks.
He felt most comfortable in Alamosa, surrounded by the majestic mountains of the San Luis Valley. Hugh was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying fishing, hunting, and horseback riding on numerous pack trips up the Conejos Canyon. His frequent use of the Continental Divide trail and his pasturing of horses below the Blue Lake trail earned him the moniker "Mayor of Blue Lake." Hugh loved sharing stories of his grand adventures with friends and family and anyone on the trail.
A Committal Service will be Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, at 10 a.m. at Fox Creek Cemetery with Military Honors. A celebration of Hugh’s life will be held on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, at 11 a.m. at The Barn at La Manzanilla Farm, 6491 Colorado Highway 17, Alamosa. The service will be followed by a meal, potluck dessert. Please RSVP by text or phone call to Hughie's phone at 720-938-5739 for meal count purposes.
YOU MESS WITH THE BULL YOU GET THE HORNS -HHH
Rogers Family Mortuary is in care of the arrangements. To leave online condolences, tributes, and words of comfort for Hugh’s family, please visit www.RogersFunerals.com.
