Videos Login Subscribe Renew E-edition
logo
ePaper
coogle_play
app_store
  • News
  • Features
  • Opinion
    • Columns
    • Letters
  • Obituaries
  • Classifieds
    • Place a Classified
  • Advertise
  • Contact us
  • Legal Notices
    • Read Statewide Legal Notices
  • Archives
    • News
    • Features
    • Opinion
      • Columns
      • Letters
    • Obituaries
    • Classifieds
      • Place a Classified
    • Advertise
    • Contact us
    • Legal Notices
      • Read Statewide Legal Notices
    • Archives
Thomas N. Hollenbeck
Thomas N. Hollenbeck
Obituaries
By News Staff, on April 21, 2022
Thomas N. Hollenbeck

Thomas Neal Hollenbeck was born on May 26, 1957 to Neal and Winnie Hollenbeck in Pocatello, Idaho. The family moved several times due to Neal’s employment with Mountain Bell, but eventually settled in Salt Lake City, Utah, where Tom graduated from East High School. Tom was an avid skier and outdoorsman and worked for several years at The Village Sporthaus. Later he worked Mountain Bell, and eventually joined the Utah National Guard where he flew AH-1 Cobra and AH-64 Apache Helicopters. Tom served his nation honorably in Desert Storm.

Tom married Colleen Kendig in 1982 and had two children, Harley and Hannah. The family moved to Ouray, Colorado in 1992, where Tom built a home and started a small helicopter business. Tom worked a variety of jobs as a pilot, including for numerous Ouray Mountain Rescue missions, Telluride Ski Resort and for what became Telluride Helitrax. After an injury that ended Tom’s pilot career, he found long-term employment with Ouray Schools as the Facilities Manager and as a math tutor. Many students remember Tom’s sarcastic wit and practical teaching methods. Tom was a skilled woodworker and loved making toys for his children and nieces and nephews. Tom also enjoyed wrenching on cars.

Tom moved back to Salt Lake City in 2012 and spent many cherished years with his mother and her partner Richard Brown, sister Teresa, and brother-in-law Brian. Tom returned to college in his late 50s at Westminster College, pursuing an Aviation Management certification.

Tom is survived by his son Harley (Ann) Hollenbeck and their daughter Fay, of Renton, WA; Hannah Hollenbeck of Ouray, CO; mother Winnie Hollenbeck of Salt Lake City, UT; sister Teresa (Brian) Garrett and her family of Salt Lake City, UT.

Sweet sounds of summer
Main, News...
Sweet sounds of summer
June 24, 2026
this is a test
Main, News...
County to pursue use tax
Likely ballot measure would raise money for roads, EMS
By Deb Hurley Brobst Special to the Plaindealer 
June 24, 2026
Ouray County voters likely will be asked this fall to approve a use tax on both new vehicle purchases and construction material purchases, with most of the tax dollars going to the county’s Road and B...
this is a test
Main, News...
Will fire authority ease insurance woes?
Experts say consolidation may not help homeowners gain, keep coverage
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
June 24, 2026
Home insurance experts say the proposed consolidation of fire and emergency services in Ouray County may not necessarily help homeowners gain and keep insurance coverage. Leaders of the possible conso...
this is a test
News
Celebration honors past, looks to future
Ranch History Museum marks 20th birthday Saturday with expansion preview
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
June 24, 2026
The Ouray County Ranch History Museum is celebrating its 20th birthday with a preview of what it wants to be when it grows up. During a celebration from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on June 27, survey stakes and...
this is a test
News
Ridgway council seeks more efficient meetings
After recent heated tone, councilors emphasize preserving casual culture
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
June 24, 2026
Ridgway town councilors want to run meetings more efficiently while preserving the council’s casual culture. After trying out informal strategies to shorten the length of meetings, the council may con...
this is a test
Film shows Ouray’s rich, layered history
News
Film shows Ouray’s rich, layered history
'Ouray: Echoes in the Canyon' debuts Friday at the Wright
By Erin McIntyre erin@ouraynews.com 
June 24, 2026
The story of Ouray is rich, nuanced and full of interesting people and events. That's the surface-level message the audience could take away from the commissioned documentary for the city's 150th anni...
this is a test
ePaper
coogle_play
app_store
ePaper
coogle_play
app_store
Editor Picks
Looking Back
News
Looking Back
June 24, 2026
Compiled from the files of The Ouray County Herald, The Ridgway Sun, and The Ouray County Plaindealer 60 Years Ago June 30, 1966 Dale Peirdson broke an arm and injured his hip June 24 while working at...
this is a test
News
Local Briefs
National forests impose fire ban
June 24, 2026
The Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests are joining Ouray County’s three local governments and other agencies in the region in imposing stage 1 fire restrictions. The U.S. Forest Ser...
this is a test
Letters, Opinion...
Prairie dog problem bigger than fairgrounds
June 24, 2026
Dear Editor: While I appreciate the prairie dog problem at the Ouray County Fairgrounds getting attention, it’s a short-sighted view. There are plenty more prairie dogs that will migrate and repopulat...
this is a test
Letters, Opinion...
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Ouray should rethink Fourth of July fireworks
By Tamra Evangelista 
June 24, 2026
Dear Editor: I recently wrote to the Ouray City Council asking them to consider an alternative to our traditional Fourth of July fireworks display this year given the significant wildfire risk we are ...
this is a test
Drought persists, but relief may be en route
Columns, Opinion...
Drought persists, but relief may be en route
By Karen Risch 
June 24, 2026
Ouray County remains in serious drought, as it was last month. Most of Colorado’s mountains are in extreme/ exceptional drought; the northern San Juans remain in the severe category. (U.S. Drought Mon...
this is a test
Facebook

Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines

Ouray County Plaindealer
Office address:

195 S Lena St. Unit D
Ridgway, Colorado 81432
970-325-4412

Mailing address:
PO Box 529
Ridgway CO 81432

This site complies with ADA requirements

© 2023 Ouray County Plaindealer

  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Accessibility Policy