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David E. Stapleton stands atop Aspen Mountain in 2019. (Courtesy photo)
As a native of Aspen and from a family whose ancestors were some of the first miners to come over Independence Pass, David E. Stapleton had a legacy to follow. He had no trouble doing that, and even elevated it for generations to come.
Stapleton died Thursday afternoon from complications due to COVID-19, his sons said. He was 86.
After decades of service to the Aspen community, the country with his time in the Army and for local and World Cup ski racers, Stapleton was honored through the years with inductions to halls of fame for his tireless work and the ways he helped shape Aspen and the international ski scene.