Dr. Alan Glen Herrington
March 27, 1932 ~ September 24, 2021
Born in:
Denver, CO
Resided in:
Pueblo, CO
Alan Glen Herrington, March 27, 1932 to September 24, 2021. Alan was an accomplished, kind, and respected physician. He was a cherished and loving child, husband, father, grandfather, and friend. Dr. Herrington passed away in his sleep at home at age 89.
Alan was born and grew up in Denver, Colorado as the only child of Eugene H. and Opal Herrington. His grandfather came to Empire, Colorado in 1862 in a covered wagon.
Alan graduated from Denver East High School 1950, Princeton University 1954, and the University of Colorado School of Medicine 1958. (As a scholarship recipient and chemistry major at Princeton, Alan was assigned the “job” his senior year to accompany Albert Einstein several evenings a week to the Visual Observatory on campus. Dr. Einstein had a position at the Institute for Advanced Studies at Princeton. Alan remembers Einstein as an endearing man who was patient and who observed everything. At the time, Einstein was studying the rings of Saturn through the telescope and handwriting measurements each evening. He would ask, “What is making that move?” Einstein died a year later at the age of 76.)
Alan was commissioned into the United States Air Force his junior year in medical school. While in orthopedic surgery residency at Wilford Hall Hospital Lackland AFB in San Antonio, Texas, he married Cathryn “Cay” Crites on October 2, 1960 in her hometown of Ottawa, Kansas. They had met in Denver at the Medical Center when Alan was finishing medical school and Cay was a CU nursing student. They raised four children: Howie, Tom, Dan and Susie.
During his time in the Air Force, Alan was stationed in Hawaii, Texas, Alaska, Colorado Springs, and Washington DC. He retired as a Lt. Colonel USAF after 20 years of service. The close friendships made in the military became lifetime bonded couples who for 30 plus years skied, traveled, and laughed together annually.
Alan received his first Air Force Commendation Medal while serving at Elmendorf Hospital in Anchorage, Alaska, for his actions at the hospital immediately following the March 27, 1964 Alaskan earthquake. In 1968, while Chief of Orthopedics at the USAF Academy Hospital in Colorado Springs, he received a second Air Force Commendation Medal for his work in athletic injuries at the Academy.
While serving as Chief of Orthopedics at Andrews Air Force Base Hospital in Washington, DC, he was on the teaching faculty of George Washington University.
Dr. Herrington and his family moved to Pueblo in 1969 where he practiced in private orthopedic surgery for 31 years and spent time at both hospitals. He was Chief of Medical Staff at St. Mary-Corwin Medical Center, President of the Pueblo County Medical Society, faculty member of the University of Colorado School of Medicine, a team physician for 20 years at CSU Pueblo, and the Director of the Southern Colorado Crippled Children’s Program for 20 years.
Retiring in 2000, he continued to challenge himself. In order to better understand his parents’ careers in elementary education, Alan spent 3 engaged years as a substitute teacher for grades K-12 in Pueblo School District 60. A real learning experience!
He discovered his amazing talent and passion for plein-air watercolor painting. He and Cay traveled and painted all over the world. He served on the board of the Southern Colorado Watercolor Society for 6 years. He left an extensive collection of wonderful watercolor paintings.
For 52 years, he was a member of the Monday Evening Club where he researched, wrote, presented, and listened to papers covering every subject/controversy imaginable.
Alan spent time on Grand Lake in the Colorado mountains from childhood until recent years. Finding a cabin on the lake in 1979 and using it all these years has been a wonderful family experience. He has loved the lifetime relationships at the Grand Lake Yacht Club where members are like family (some members actually ARE family!). The lake encouraged his fascination and collection of Classic Antique Wooden Inboard Runabouts. An Italian Riva was the prize!
Alan is survived by his wife of 60 years, Cay Herrington; children, Howard (Rochele) Herrington of Pueblo, Tom (Lisa) Herrington of Denver, Dan Herrington of Denver, and Susie (Toby) Sutherland of Denver. Survived also by granddaughters, Kate Herrington, Meg Herrington, and Sadie Sutherland.
Following cremation, a private immediate-family Celebration of Life will be held at First Presbyterian Church Pueblo with Rev. Dr. Ben Keller officiating. (Unfortunately, the world is still under the restrictions of the Covid-19 pandemic.) Alan has been an active, beloved member of “First Pres” for many years. His steadfast faith in God still shines.
In lieu of memorials, hug your family and friends. Life on this planet is short.
Services
Private Family Service:
First Presbyterian Church
220 W. 10th Street
Pueblo, CO 81004
719-542-1552
I found pictures of Dr. Herrington and his family in my mother, Alma M. Genzer’s photo box. She use to babysit his 2 oldest sons in San Antonio, Texas. She saved the pictures all these years. She is 97 years old and living in an assisted living facility now. I will let her know there are 2 more children in his family. I am willing to share the pictures I found with his family. Angelina Genzer Kretzschmar, San Antonio, Texas.
Cay and Family, I was so sorry to hear of Alan’s passing. I have wonderful memories of Alan as a neighbor and friend in Denver and Pueblo. He was close to my brother Richard at Princeton University. Cay and I went to school together at CU in Boulder. Please accept my late condolences to you all.
Love, Kathy Farley
Cay and family,
I have many fond memories of Alan and you all in ottawa at family gatherings over the years. Alan was always warm and kind and personally interested in all of us, his relatives. I was so amazed to read about his wonderful and meaningful life over many years. God bless all of you.
Bev
Dr. Herrington was always kind and generous. I will miss his friendly soul.
Good memories of our Grand Lake friend and neighbor, All Herrington…and of the Herrington family.
So sorry to hear the news.
Thinking of y’all during this time of sorrow!
Al was a unique person and we will miss him dearly !
Bob & Mary Ann Jackson
RJ and I send our heart felt condolences to all of you during this time.
Cay, Susie and the Herrington Family. We are so sorry about your loss. He was an amazing man and I hope you know that you are equally amazing in your own right. Thank you for your kindness to our family over the years. You are always in our thoughts and we will keep you in our prayers. Love to all of you. Beryl and Jill
I was a Unit Clerk at Parkview many years ago. Dr. Herrington was one of my favorite doctors there. His patience, understanding & care of his patients was amazing. He was always willing to teach, answer questions & had the most beautiful handwriting!! My condolences to his family & friends. God bless!!
My sincere sincere sympathy for your loss. I was a patient of Dr Herrington when I was 16 and I’m now 68. I remember him as being a very kind man while taking care of me at a tender age. I also worked at St Mary Corwin during his time there and knew he was highly respected. I was so happy to read of the outstanding accomplishments in his life and to know he had a well lived life. Pueblo was honored to have had such an esteemed surgeon of his caliber caring for its citizens. May memories of him sustain your family in the days ahead. Rest In Peace Dr. Herrington.
Dear Cay and family, Gig and I are so blessed to have known Alan and know that our lives are richer for having done so. We will fondly remember his special sense of humor and were just reminiscing about the one and only time we ever saw him wear Levi’s….when we took you to a Rockies game at Coors Field. He embodied the best of the traditional “old time physicians” whether it be the time he came to our house to cast Maggie’s broken elbow or the morning he met Gig at Corwin’s ED to treat his dislocated shoulder and then drove him home. Love to you all, the Graham family.
Cay, we are so grateful we had the pleasure of knowing Alan. He will be greatly missed for his smile and kindness!!!
Our prayers and love are with you and your family!!!!
Carl and Margaret
It was our privilege to have Alan as a neighbor in Grand Lake. We enjoyed his friendship and wonderful stories and cherish the watercolor he did for us years ago. Condolences to all the family.
As happens every year around this time, the hummingbird feeders stand alone. It’s sad to know their thirsty visitors have gone and will not return. But, this year, one lone male appeared and sat very still while visiting for a moment. He asked that we remember fondly the years we had spent together as special friends. Before he flew away, he told us to keep you in our hearts and pray that the Lord holds you in his fold. And, then he left for home.
I’m already missing my old Jerico Rd friend. I feel privileged that he allowed me to record stories about himself and the old wooden boats on GL. Thank you for sharing. Steve
Condolences to all the Herrington family. Alan’s smile and ready handshake always warmed my heart. Cissy and I felt his absence in Grand Lake this summer and were concerned. He leaves a legacy that anyone would be proud of.
Sending love and prayers to Cay and all the Herringtons. He was a bright light of kindness.
Our heartfelt condolences to the Herrington and Sutherland families. We so enjoyed spending time talking about Pueblo and what a fascinating and accomplished life! We will never forget his warm and inviting smile.
We are sending love and hugs to the entire Herrington family ❤️
Alan was a prince of a man who always had time for you. Many wonderful conversations! He will be missed.
Much love,
Melinda & Tim Harrington (“a”)
We will miss our wonderful neighbor at Grand Lake. Our sincere condolences to Kay, Susie, and Sadie and family.
Dear Herringtons,
My heart breaks for your loss. I have so many wonderful memories of Alan, starting from when I was very young. He was always kind and smiling, and he made me feel welcome when I was at your house (which was a lot!) He lived an extrodinary life and I feel so fortunate that he was a part of mine. Much love and hugs to all of you.
A terrific gentleman, neighbor, and friend. So sorry to hear the news. My condolences to Cay and all family members. Bob Shirley
Dear Cay and Family,
What a life you have been able to share with this very exceptional man. It’s a blessing to know he will live on with our Lord and in you memories for ever. It has been my joy to know him.
Love to you all at this difficult time.
Jan Legler
I worked for Dr. Herrington as an X-ray Tech from 1978-1985. He was such a nice man and a great physician! He was always kind and appreciative of his employees. I know he will be missed by so many.
God bless your beautiful family.
We honor a wonderful life. He was blessed to be a blessing, for sure.
Love, Dahna and Larry Graham
Dear Cay, Susie and the Herrington family. We are so sorry to hear about your loss. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. Thank you for sharing the obituary. Mr Herrington was such an impressive man and led such an amazing life. Big hug, Pei and family.
Cay and family,
Truly thought the world of Dr. Alan.
Will miss him. All of you are in our hearts.
Cay We both have lost our loved ones and partners in life for 60 years this September after their extended suffering. Jennette was laid to rest on Tuesday, September 21 at Bethany Lutheran Chuurch. I am sure Alan and Jennette would express this poem: “I thank you for the love you have shown and how much you gave me happiness. Just be happy that we had so many wonderful years.Keep those memories in your heart”. They are now at peace and in their heavenly father’s arms. Don
My condolences to the family. Dr Herrington was my three children’s orthopedic doctor and they are all in their 50s. I remember him as a very kind man and very respected doctor. This is such a wonderful obituary!