Barry Kent Maggert, of Carbondale, died Thursday, May 8, 2008, in a tragic accident. His family takes great comfort knowing he passed doing something he loved, piloting his airplane. He would tease that he was still in his 30s — he was thirty-seventeen (47). His sense of humor was legendary.

He was born May 5, 1961, in Columbia, Mo., to Kent and Vicki. In 1982, he married his high school sweetheart, Renée. Two years later, he graduated from the University of Texas with a bachelor’s degree in engineering. Later that year, he and his wife gave birth to twin boys, Bryant and Lee. In 1986 Barry and Renée moved to Snowmass just prior to the birth of their third son, Taylor. Upon completing a construction project in Snowmass Village for his parents, he worked for Ted Guy & Associates, Pitallo & Associates and then started his own engineering firm, Maggert & Associates in 1988.

Barry’s passion for his family was paramount in his life. He was a devoted father and husband. He was proud of his sons, who have found their passions. He supported their interests in sports, education and outdoor activities. Helping establish the Three Rivers Little League and coaching the Roaring Fork High School golf team are just two examples of this.

Barry would never pass up an opportunity to aid in public discourse. These ventures varied between running for office, writing an editorial in the local newspaper to spreading libertarian philosophies.

He was also very proud of his little brother Jeff, and Jeff’s golfing career. He constantly would follow his progress and often went to tournaments. Barry enjoyed playing golf in the local mens’ clubs and amateur tournaments. Other hobbies included biweekly poker games with the guys for the last 20 years. His other pastimes include aviation and just about anything involving technology.

A celebration of Barry’s life will be at 4 p.m. Thursday, May 15, at the Aspen Glen clubhouse (0545 Bald Eagle Way, Carbondale). Barry would not want tears of sadness, so please bring a story and we’ll have tears of laughter.

Barry is survived by his wife Renée; sons Bryant, Lee and Taylor; parents Kent Maggert and Viki Benzel; his brother Jeff Maggert; dozens of nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, in-laws and hundreds of friends.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to one of the 14 agencies that have been so courageous and generous in this tragedy. FAA (Federal Aviation Administration), Gilpin County Sheriff’s Office, Gilpin Victim Services, Central City Police Department, Black Hawk Police Department, Gilpin Search and Rescue, Alpine Search and Rescue, Rocky Mountain Rescue Group, Central City Fire Department, Black Hawk Fire Department, Civil Air Patrol, Colorado National Guard, Airlife, and the Gilpin Ambulance, and Science Care. (His remains will be donated to a medical facility through Science Care.)