Obituary of Gary Raymond Ellingson

Gary Raymond Ellingson of Aurora, Colorado passed away on Sunday, September 19, 2021, at the age of 80. After several months of declining health, Gary died peacefully with his beloved twin sisters by his side. Gary was born in Minnesota on March 30, 1941, to mother, Mildred and father, Raymond Ellingson. The youngest of four, Gary discovered his love of nature and appreciation for all living creatures while growing up on the family homestead. His nurturing spirit and desire to help others led him to St. Olaf College where he excelled on the football team and on to the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry. After a tour of duty in Vietnam with the Medical Corps, Gary opened a family dental practice in Colorado Springs. His inquisitive mind and deep commitment to improving outcomes for his patients led him to study the latest in dental and craniofacial research. As a leading expert in the diagnosis and treatment of Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD), Gary was a popular teacher, mentor and advisor in the field. Later in life, his passion for helping those in need took him to Amalia, New Mexico where he enjoyed the rugged outdoors and serving indigenous communities. Gary's compassionate spirit, unflagging optimism, and capacity to love life fully inspired those around him. Whether saddling up horses for a ride through the Aspens or distributing snow shoes for a trek through the Rockies, Gary was the ultimate outfitter, making possible memorable adventures and occasions for family and friends. Gary was preceded in death by his parents; his older brother, Richard Ellingson; and by his younger son, Dane Ellingson. He is survived by his son, Aaron Ellingson; sisters, Sonja Ellingson Hout and Sandra Dewey; grandchildren, Angus Ellingson and Liam Ellingson; nieces, Shannon Damnavits, Kristen Panowicz; and nephew, Jorgen Ellingson. A gathering of friends and family will take place at the beginning of November in Gary's longtime home of Colorado Springs, Colorado. People wishing to honor Gary's lifelong commitment to helping others and engaging with nature as a way to heal can make donations to Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, Inc. at https://projecthealingwaters.org/donate/