The passing of Charles âCharlieâ Forster, 72, on Jan. 28 left a void that is being felt not just in the community, but throughout the region.Â
Probably best known as president of Collegiate Peaks Bank, he wore many âhatsâ with his involvement with the Chaffee County Fair, Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical Center, Salida Aspen Concerts, Salida SteamPlant and numerous other organizations and causes.
Dan Downing, former HRRMC board chairman and friend, had the pleasure of introducing Forster as the fifth member of the HRRMC Hall of Fame in 2016.Â
Downing said, âWeâve been friends for 30 years and have gotten to the point where we were like brothers. Weâve served on boards, fished and traveled together, had meals in each otherâs homes nearly weekly for years â all the things friends do that keep relationships thriving.
Buena Vista and Chaffee County lost a leader and friend with the death of Charles âCharlieâ Forster, 72, following a long battle against a type of lymphoma cancer.
A family friend confirmed late Thursday that Forster, the former president of Collegiate Peaks Bank died peacefully Thursday at his home in Salida.
Better known as Charlie, Forster recently retired after a 50-year career in banking, the last 30 years in Chaffee County.
While banking was his business, he immediately became involved in his new community when he moved to Salida in 1985. For many years, he ran the Buena Vista Collegiate Peaks Bank.
He had an enduring commitment to health care and was inducted into the Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical Centerâs Hall of Fame in 2016.
Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical Center announced it will host a COVID-19 community vaccination clinic Friday, Jan. 29. The clinic will take place from 9-11 a.m., on the hospital campus, at 1000 Rush Drive in Salida.
An online scheduler is available for eligible community members and Colorado residents to schedule an appointment at: https://hrrmcvaccines.rsvpify.com/.
This vaccination clinic will be available to Colorado residents in the Phase 1B category that are 70 years of age and older, set forth by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
HRRMC cannot accept walk-ins or community members for this clinic who do not fall into this phase at this time. Schedules will be monitored and appointments cancelled if they do not meet the Phase 1B 70 and older guideline.