. You will live forever in our memories and hearts.
Durango resident Scott H. Singer, 41, took his own life with a gunshot on Wednesday, April 25, 2007, in Durango. His family said that his struggles with bipolar disorder and suicide should in no way overshadow the meaningfulness of his life.
Mr. Singer was born on Feb. 11, 1966, in Columbus, Ohio, to Kirk and Dale Singer. His family owned a backpacking/outdoor shop called The Trailhead in Alliance, Ohio.
Mr. Singer was an outdoor-recreation major at Bowling Green State University in Ohio. His family said he used to joke that the best way to get good grades was to change your major to something you really loved.
While at Bowling Green, Mr. Singer was president of the largest organization at the school, the University Activities Organization. Mr. Singer was especially well known for leading numerous hiking trips.
He was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon.
By the time he graduated from Bowling Green, Mr. Singer had hiked large stretches of the Appalachian Trail. His family said that one of his favorite memories was taking his last few dollars and staying at an old Appalachian inn, where he soaked in the antique claw-foot tub after a long week of hiking.
Mr. Singer met Barbara Spencer in college. The couple married in Lakeside, Ohio, on Sept. 1, 1990.
After college, the couple moved to Columbus, where he worked for Natural Wonders. At the end of 1992, they moved to Durango so Mr. Singer could join the family business, Backcountry Experience.
In the spring of 1998, Mr. Singer hiked in the San Juan Mountains around Vallecito Reservoir on snowshoes. He liked to tell the story of local dogs partially eating his rawhide showshoes while he waited for his brother, Jeff, to pick him up. Jeff was killed in a motorcycle accident seven years ago.
Besides telemark skiing, camping and backpacking in the Southwest, Mr. Singer also enjoyed bicycling. He participated in three Courage Classics to raise money for The Children's Hospital in Denver. In 2005, he dedicated his ride to his unborn twins. He also completed the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic in 2005.
Mr. Singer enjoyed Mountain Man Rendezvous and other historical re-enactments. Rendezvous are based on the life of a typical fur trapper/trader during the 1700s. He first became interested in the Rendezvous lifestyle as a Boy Scout when his troop traveled to Philmont Scout Ranch south of Cimarron, N.M.
Mr. Singer was active in the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Durango. He served on the board for several years and often performed the duties of the lay leader.
Mr. Singer is survived by his wife, Barbara Singer, of Durango; daughter Sophia of Durango; sons Jeffrey Kirk Singer and Spencer Paul Singer of Durango; and parents Kirk and Dale Singer of the Everglades, Fla.
A service will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 2, 2007, at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Durango.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Durango (note building fund on the memo line), 419 San Juan Drive, Durango, CO 81301; or The Children's Hospital in Denver online at www.imaginethemiracles.org/site (honorary and memorial donations).
