"Missed Forever"

"Kaileen always wanted to see you at the Basin.. It is part of what kept us going those first few years...after...anyway.. We miss you at the Patrol Office.. Love to Denise and Boys   Kristy."

"You are always with us in spirit......Loved and Missed by all......Rest Easy!"

"Dad, Leif!
We all love and miss you!

Aidan, Ian, Toy, Stella and Denise
     XOOXXOO"

"You are still missed.  You must be so proud of Ian."

"We always think of Leif on January 1st, Rob and he always shared something special on this day.
XO The Wares"

"Gracias por dar todo de ti"

"I never met Leif and I probably never would, I am from Canada and an in University. However, I am doing a project on online memorials and I chose this one randomly. After looking at what people said about him and looked at his pictures, I can see he was an amazing guy and a good friend and looked like and awesome dude. R.I.P man,
From a Canadian Snowboarder."

"one year later- thinking of you Leif, hope you're getting many fluffy turns in the sky. :)"

"You the man.....I will ski with you again. Give your self over to gravity.PEACE..."

"Happy Birthday Leif !"

"Leif was our superhero.  He was larger than life.  It is difficult to look around A-Basin these days and not see the enormous impact he had on every inch of that mountain.  He will be sorely missed..."

"I worked with Leif at the National Ski Patrol.  I missed him when he left, and was sad to read about his death.  My thoughts are with the family."

"I haven't talked to Lief since we were in college together in the early 1980's in Minneapolis. I'll always be grateful to him for helping make my first big nature adventures happen. Looks like he never stopped getting as much adventure out of life as he could. Thanks for helping me to push myself, Lief."

"Thanx for the coffee, and the inspiration Leif!
I'll always remember your coffee talks, your 5th cup during my first o the day at 7am. Much love!!"

"I remember those early days at the Snowbowl with JD, Sean & Jacquie.  We were all so young then.  We moved on to bigger & better.  You got to be the best in what you did.  Happy forever skiing Leif.
Jim & Jacquie Stegmaier"

"Dear Denise, Ian and Aiden,
Very shocked to learn of Leif's passing.  Thinking
of you and your family. May he be floating on powder
right now!"

"I had the pleasure of working with Leif during the editing and CD production for the NSP Instructor Developement program. He was always positive, upbeat and energized. Someone never to be forgotten."

"I never met Leif and never knew the man but as a fellow ski patroller my heart felt condolences go out to his family."

"Leifer- I'll never forget your infectious smile, beard encased in ice on those early mornings, nor will I ever cease to be amazed by your herculean strength hiking up the East Wall with a pack full of crackers. We are all blessed to have had you as a friend- we're all better for the time together- and we'll live the rest of our lives inspired by and thankful for the memories.Thanks bud!"

"I met Leif through Mel Stewart in 1990 when I was trying to get permission to patrol on tele gear at Copper. His enthusiasm was infectious. As the years went by and ambulance, patrol and other jobs fluxed and families were created, Leif was always a source of inspiration. (and reminder of what a "real man" was) I last saw him at RM 224 in the Grand Canyon 8/10. I'll remember the smile forever!"

"Leif, thank you for your amazing contribution to those who have lived, skied and played in Summit county.  The national office of the National Ski Patrol is indebted to your level of committment your showed to our NSP members. Missed 4 ever!"

"You will be forever missed Leif. A true Legend, a Super Hero for sure!!  Your spirit and soul will live on!!  When I look high on the divide, I see you you cutting endless lines of powder.  I feel so honored to have known you!! Your sons will fill your boots and become the next super heros that they allready are!!  My hat comes off to you Leif.  Wish all family and friends strength."

"I didn't have the honor of meeting Leif personally, but he was angel to our family.  He rescued a loved one after a very serious chair-lift accident at A-Basin 18 years ago.  We will be eternally grateful.  Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends."

"Thank you Leif for all the hard work. You were always there to take care of us when we needed help. You were one great skier and a great man. Legendary in your physical strength. Save some snow up there in skier's heaven and say hi to all of our other friends that have passed on. Tele George& your friends from the Mad River Glen Ski Patrol."

"Jamie,Danielle,Zach & my self will miss you much. I always loved to Rassell you! I never saw you waist a minute of life. We are better people to have known you & your family. The mountains will seem smaller with out you......Live each day as if it were a good day to die.....You will always be my brother, be at peace....."

"Larry and Carol Beverly will always remember what a fine man Leif was and will always be. Gone from the present, but always with us in spirit. Leif just opened another door and has achieved a higher calling. The good and the brave don't rest they just kick it up a notch. Keep climbing Leif.....the sky is not the limit for men like you!"

"My heart goes out to Leif's family, friends and colleagues. The county will not be the same without him."

"PASSIONATE about life! That is what you taught me. I will never forget."

"From bikes to mtns to snow & avalanches to rescue we talked, occasionally we even skied a run or two. Our conversations usually started with work stuff, but we always talked about our families, too. Leif taught and shared not only knowledge but wisdom, which was always accompanied by a twinkle in his eyes and an infectious smile, which got brighter and bigger when he talked about his family. RIP"

"I worked with Leif in the ER one winter.  During a wild and crazy shift one night, he broke out into the theme song for Sponge Bob SquarePants to me.  I laughed like a lunatic, made my night!  Leif leaves a legacy of two wonderful sons, and a very special person by the name of Denise.  She saw a shooting star the other night and believes it was Leif telling her he was ok.  I believe as well."

"Denise,
I never met you or your husband, Leif, but I lost my love on January 15th, 2011, in a similar way.  My heart goes out to you and your sons.  My only words of comfort are your love left this life like mine did, doing what they love.  I am not the kind of person that will give your platitudes.  But, take comfort in th fact that he passed from this life in a place that he loved.

Annette"

"I was catering an event at the Basin and the door opened and there was Leif. He asked if I needed anything or any help. Usually when someone asks this it is out of courtesy and I'll say no thanks but thank you. With Leif, I could tell from the look he gave and the way he said it, he sincerely meant it. And what a help he was! I will never forget it. God bless you Leif."

"A great man through and through...you'll be missed...loved running into him at our annual Gruberfest trip...so proud of his sons;showed us the pix on his desktop early in the morning, even though it was a busy morning...god bless...You'll be remembered forever :~)
Brook, Gwen and Allison O'Roark"

"Leif - Unfortunately I did not get to know you as well as others at the Basin may have know you, but I knew you well enough to recognize that your untimely passing will forever leave a hole in the fabric creating the magic and atmosphere that is A-Basin.  My thoughts and prayers go out to your family and friends."

"I never knew Leif but my thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends. The next time Im' at A Basin I will say a prayer at the top of the mountain for him. Rest in piece."

"Although I only met Leif a few times, he obviously impacted many people in his short life. As he is looking down on us, may he have comfort in the lives he has touched."

"You are always going to be in my memory. I remember the day we went to work together way back when. We risked our lives and learned about one another through our passion to be out in the snowy folds. I was fortunate enough to watch you excel in your craft, as well as grow proud as a father husband and friend of many. The thing about you is that you left an impression on many. Tears flow. Luv Campo"

"Leif was a real gem.  One time we went to see The English Beat.  The concert was gettin' rowdy, the moshin' was heatin' up, then I couldn't find him.  A few minutes later there he was on stage, without his spectacles, and he promptly stage dove into the crowd! A hearty laugh was had by all. Love to Denise and family, Lars and parents. Mountain Del Boys forever! Peace and Love, Stef"

"RIP for Leif means “Ripping In Powder” (I can't picture him resting!). Somewhere he’s trying to characterize stuff that has 0% water content and is infinitely deep.  Thanks, Leif, for breaking so many trails, and establishing new staircases to excellence in all aspects of patrolling.  Afterlife, beware this legend...fire in the hole!"

"Leif was the type of patroller and person I aspired to be when I lived in Summit County.  He was so A-Basin: hard as a rock, funky, happy, real Colorado.  Hugs to everyone at A-Basin and Keystone."

"Mom, Leif is a Really great guy  I am sorry I do not get to see him again.. (Kaileen Gruber) 5yrs old"

"A patrol brother here in Flag said "He was in pretty good shape, wasn't he?"
I answered "He was made of steel.  He was a (expletive deleted) superhero."  

In body and mind Leif was a hero.  Unstoppable optimism, dedication and the endurance to see anything through.

My daughters reminded me again today that I'll see him again.  Requiescat in pace.
b"

"Thank you for all the fun times at Keystone and at Copper.  It was a lucky day for me when you taught me how to run a rig on teles!!!   You are a super star and will be so missed!"

"We shared some great times and a heck of alot of laughs together while on Keystone Patrol. You will be missed"

""The Snowman" may be gone, but not forgotten! Farewell My Friend - Farewell"

"I remember how psyched Leif was to ski 3 inches of snow encrusted in an inch of ice when we went back East. He was a real mountain goat and always in his element.  We'll miss him!"

"I had the pleasure of working with Leif at Keystone Ski Patrol in the late 80s.  We spent a lot of time together keeping the snowmobiles running and helping to keep the mountain safe.  Leif was a special person with more than most's share of personality and one tough guy! Hard to keep up with that one!!  He will be sadly missed!- Brian Biebl"

"Leif, it was an honor and a pleasure to have known and worked with you. Altho your tenure at Copper was short I appreciated your professionalism and dedication to the world of ski patroling, snow safety, along with your friendship. Rest in peace my friend."

"Leif ... I will never forget you! You were always an inspiration to me. You will be greatly missed by many. Thanks for turning me on to Oakly prescription glasses. I will wear them every day in your honor!

R.I.P. Bro!"

"I can't even think of a bad memory if I try and this is your legacy Leif. Your friends, family and Legend teammates will carry that with them forever...damn, you were a good one. Thank you for everything."

"Leif taught me everything I need to know to keep my VW bus running.  He gave me encouragement and inspiration to work in France.  Thanks for the laughs and your endless strength."

"Leif was an amazing family friend, a second dad, an awesome skier and overall bad ass. he always knew how to put a smile on my face and every time i would bump into him he would give me a hug. nothing will replace Lief, but the memories will always stay in my heart. thanks for being there for me, not only as a co-worker from years past but as a second dad when i needed advice. god gave you wings."

"I'll never forget riding the east wall with Leif before it opened, he made me carry up a bunch of bamboo poles but it was worth every turn. We had a good time that day."

"Leif was always the most psyched and the most motivated for any project or adventure, thanks for the motivation and good times. Scott and Jen"

"I was hanging out with Leif in his office one day last year and he's getting ready to head out...  I say to him "be good".  He turns to me and says "Be obsiquious, purple, and clairvoyant".  

I'm gonna miss that guy."

"Thanks 4 makin my life in summit so real. Thank you 4 the memories. You have made your mark in this world u will not b forgotten."

"r.i.p. brother"

"I remember working with him in the summer of Montezuma Bowl , We were at the summit and he gave me one box , he had two, i had a 50 yard head start to the bunker, he passed me like i had never even gotten started and was waiting on me with a smile, Man that guy was tough! Glad I was Able to work with such and awesome dude! Lost but never will be forgotten.

Patrick Steele"

"Thanks for making me smile every day. -Sarah Mc"