Obituary of Eric Ian Saffell

Eric Ian Saffell was born November 5, 1947, in Richland Center, Wisconsin, to Carroll Lincoln Saffell, a music store owner, and Naomi Louse Saffell, a homemaker.He was the oldest of four children and is survived by sisters, Ann Brewer, her husband, Bob Mumford, from Washington, D.C., and their children Jennifer, Melissa, and Zachary, and Karen Saffell and her children, Erica, and Elise, from Neenah, Wisconsin. He was preceded in death by his brother, David. Eric was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Richland Center, Wisconsin, where his family worshipped and he was baptized in 1947 and confirmed in 1960. He grew up in a musical environment and began taking piano lessons from Beth Hillesheim at his father's music store at the age of six. By age 13, he was playing organ for St. John's Lutheran Church in Richland Center under the direction of his father, a choir director. He served as organist for the church until he graduated from high school high and his love of organ music continued throughout his life. Eric was active in the Boy Scouts of America, achieving the rank of Eagle Scout in Troop 81, and earning the highest scout honor provided by the Lutheran church, the Pro Dei et Patria. He attended Richland Center schools and graduated from Richland Center High School in 1965. Eric attended St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, and was a member of the St. Olaf Orchestra. The highlight of his years at St. Olaf was traveling with the orchestra for a concert tour of Norway. He graduated in 1969 with a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education. On September 18, 1969, Eric enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and completed basic training at Lackland Air Force Base. On November 6, 1969, Eric arrived at the USAF Academy where he served as an instrumentalist in the Academy Band, playing tuba and keyboards for twenty years and five months. During his Academy career he was keyboardist for the Falconaires, Blue Steel, and Moods in Blue bands; leader of the Peregrine and Blue Steel bands; tuba in the Academy marching band; musician in the production of "Zorba the Greek"; as well as copyist, arranger, and instrument repairman. He also traveled to the Azores with the small concert band in 1973. While leader of Blue Steel, Eric's philosophy was to lead and still give band members room to follow their own creative musical instincts. He said his proudest moment was witnessing the high level of achievement that this band reached under his leadership and his proudest personal achievement came from being the only person to join the Air Force Academy Band from basic training, spending his entire twenty year career at the Academy followed by retirement. In 1973, Eric married Linda Edwards and this marriage ended in 1987. Linda and her husband, Robert Pflum, reside in Colorado Springs. Their daughter, Tara Saffell McCraw, was born on January 12, 1975 survives with husband, Derrick McCraw, and children, Ayanna, and Nayla, of San Antonio, Texas. During Eric´s military career, he received the Air Force Training Ribbon, Longevity Service Award Ribbon with four bronze oak leaf clusters, the National Defense Service Medal, the Good Conduct Medal with one silver oak leaf cluster, the Organizational Excellence Award, and the Outstanding Unit Award with one bronze leaf cluster. Eric retired from the Air Force in 1990. Following retirement, Eric joined the Broadmoor Trio that, for a time, played twice a day, five days a week at the Broadmoor Hotel here in Colorado Springs. He also taught private piano, gave brass workshops in area schools, and often accompanied students performing in solo and ensemble music festivals. Eric had a gift for working with children as teacher and as accompanist. Additionally, Eric was one of the founding members of the Fountain Creek Brass Band. He played tuba and served as the band librarian. He was involved in the local casual music scene as well. As a piano soloist and as a member of the Springs Band, Western Band and One More Shot, Eric performed at the Garden of the Gods Club and many other local venues. He also played keyboard with other groups on a more casual basis. He was a member of the Air Force Musicians Association, and co-founder with Joyce Hanagan of the St. Andrew's Episcopal Recital Series in Manitou Springs. Eric and Joyce Hanagan met while playing in the pit orchestra for a show at the Fine Arts Center. They became friends with many common interests; music, of course, hiking, camping, travel, opera and attending classical and rock concerts and were married on July 26, 2001. Eric is also survived by Joyce's daughter and his step daughter, Rebecca Atkinson, of Spring, Texas. Eric loved everything about music. When he wasn't playing, he spent time composing and arranging. He was also interested in the history of Rock and Roll, spending time researching the subject and on occasion was a guest lecturer for rock and roll history in college level music history courses. Beyond music, Eric read extensively about the Civil War, the history of World War II, local history, and wrote several novellas that reflected these interests. He was a train enthusiast, enjoying model trains, historical trains, and train rides. Also an avid outdoorsman, Eric enjoyed hiking, snowshoeing, and motorcycling. He loved travel, taking numerous trips to visit family and friends in Wisconsin, San Antonio, Texas and Washington, DC. He toured Germany and Austria with his father in 1997, traveled to Mexico and Belize with Joyce in 2003. HIs dream of seeing Scotland was fulfilled when Joyce and Rebecca joined him on a trip there in 2006. In 2007, Eric became seriously ill and endured a lengthy hospitalization. His determination to recover was motivated by the desire to play again with fellow musicians. He felt blessed to have had this time for music, friends, and to be with his family. In early in 2013, Eric´s health began a steady decline until he was admitted to Penrose Hospital on March 31. He entered Eternal Life on April 26, 2014 with Joyce and one of First Lutheran's pastors, Mark Patzke, at his side. Eric was kind and generous, a great friend to many. He was a gifted, passionate musician and a gentle yet insistent teacher. He faced the many challenges in his life with strength and great courage. A devoted husband and father, he deeply loved his family.Memorial Service, 1:00PM, Friday, June 6, 2014, at First Lutheran Church, 1515 North Cascade Avenue. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate contributions in Eric's name to the Memorial Fund of First Lutheran Church, Fountain Creek Brass Band, or a charity of your choice. Funeral Home:The Springs Funeral Services3115 East Platte AvenueColorado Springs, , COUS 80909 Events Service Friday, June 6, 2014 1:00PM First Lutheran Church 1515 N. Cascade Avenue Colorado Springs, CO 80907 Phone: 719-328-1793