Joan
Dr.George William (Bill) Salsman Colorado Springs, Co. passed peacefully at his home on October 13, 2014 and is most likely breaking speed limits while garage sale hopping with his loved ones along the streets of gold.
Born to Dr. George Wesley Salsman and Neva Bell Campbell Salsman on March 26, 1930 in La Junta, Colorado, Bill was later joined by brother, Robert. While attending Colorado Springs High School, Bill’s love for automobiles was encouraged when he worked his first job at the Buick Garage. Armed with a degree in Pre-Engineering from La Junta Jr. College, Bill graduated from Palmer College of Chiropractic in 1956 where he interned at the Clearview Sanatorium.
Following his graduation he directed Spinal Mechanical Research at the University of Colorado for which he received the David Daniel Palmer Chiropractic Scientific Award for his advances in x-ray science.
Dr. Salsman practiced chiropractic for 58 years, 15 of which were with his father, Dr. George W. Salsman, and brother, Dr. Robert Salsman, until 1977. He practiced with his daughter and son-in-law, Drs. Gail and John Warner, for 22 years. Retirement just wasn’t in Bill’s vocabulary as demonstrated by the numerous awards received, research conducted, and fulfillment of his core passion for healing others until his last day.
Not one to sit still, Bill served in the Naval Reserves, as a volunteer for the La Junta Fire Department and was an active member of the Colorado Springs JayCees. He built numerous cabins in the Leadville area during his freetime, which fulfilled his desire to create. With an insatiable need for speed, Bill could be found skiing, racing cars and V-bottom boats against hydroplanes, riding moto-cross and trail bikes through the mountains, and getting injured (oh so many times) on snowmobiles.
His passion for healing his patients was only surpassed by his love for his family which grew in 2008 when he married Pat. They enjoyed vacationing to Mexico, hosting dinner parties and watching their family grow while providing immense happiness for each other.
Dr. William Salsman leaves behind his wife Patsy Salsman, daughters Gail (John) Warner, Jajean (George) Lenz, Granchildren Shaun (April) Salsman, Nicole and Skylar Warner, Nate(Melissa)and Austin Lenz, and great-granddaughter Anya Salsman.
Preceeded in death by brother Dr. Robert Salsman and sons David Salsman and Kurt Love.
A private ceremony will be held according to his wishes. Contributions in his honor, greatly appreciated, may be directed to the Dr. Salsman Memorial Research Account, UMB Bank, 290 E Cheyenne Mountain Blvd, Colorado Springs, CO 80906.
Please share your memories of Dr. Salsman at www.forevermissed.com/william-salsman
Tributes
Leave a tributeJoan
From the early days of dating his only daughter and having those nervous moments with the man that I must impress, to the time I asked him for his daughter's hand in marriage...he always allowed me to be at ease with him, and was readily accepting of my many faults. The main one, of course, was the fact that I was a man and I loved his daughter! :)
Bill and I actually had the most fun when we were able to travel, as that was the ONLY time he could escape the rigors of owning a busy clinic and the many demands that his beloved patients needed from him...and, I might add, he literally loved each and every patient he ever encountered. THAT, my friend, is not an easy task. But Bill did love his patients, and I have much to learn from the way he lived his ministry.
Bill, if you are reading this, I must ask several questions of you:
1. How in the world did you ever NOT get a speeding ticket?
A. And whom in the Police community owed you a big favor?
2. Remember catching many monster salmon with Jimmy Munoz, Gail, and I?
A. Then calling the room next door that kept us up all night, returning the favor multiple times as we drove to the docks. THAT was priceless. You really won me over as a great Father in Law on that one!
3. The very first family vacation to Cabo, celebrating your 70th birthday...? Uhm, and the dance you did? Yes, Bill, your grandkids remember it vividly...! Hahaha Again, priceless.
4. All the return trips to Cabo... when Pat joined the family, the trips got even better. So glad you met that lady, Bill. She has enriched all of our lives.
Bill is remembered by his many patients as the world's greatest doctor. I'll take it one step further. Since he is the father of my Poopsie, and the grandfather of my kids, that makes him the greatest father in law...ever!
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this sad time.
Leave a Tribute
Joan
From the early days of dating his only daughter and having those nervous moments with the man that I must impress, to the time I asked him for his daughter's hand in marriage...he always allowed me to be at ease with him, and was readily accepting of my many faults. The main one, of course, was the fact that I was a man and I loved his daughter! :)
Bill and I actually had the most fun when we were able to travel, as that was the ONLY time he could escape the rigors of owning a busy clinic and the many demands that his beloved patients needed from him...and, I might add, he literally loved each and every patient he ever encountered. THAT, my friend, is not an easy task. But Bill did love his patients, and I have much to learn from the way he lived his ministry.
Bill, if you are reading this, I must ask several questions of you:
1. How in the world did you ever NOT get a speeding ticket?
A. And whom in the Police community owed you a big favor?
2. Remember catching many monster salmon with Jimmy Munoz, Gail, and I?
A. Then calling the room next door that kept us up all night, returning the favor multiple times as we drove to the docks. THAT was priceless. You really won me over as a great Father in Law on that one!
3. The very first family vacation to Cabo, celebrating your 70th birthday...? Uhm, and the dance you did? Yes, Bill, your grandkids remember it vividly...! Hahaha Again, priceless.
4. All the return trips to Cabo... when Pat joined the family, the trips got even better. So glad you met that lady, Bill. She has enriched all of our lives.
Bill is remembered by his many patients as the world's greatest doctor. I'll take it one step further. Since he is the father of my Poopsie, and the grandfather of my kids, that makes him the greatest father in law...ever!
I'm so thankful to God that I was referred to Dr. Salsman in the '60,s as I feel sure that is why my health is as good as it is now. He will sure be missed but Know he is truly at peace with the Lord.Wonder if he & Irwin have met up there yet?
I'm thankful that you are carrying on his work, Gayle.
I pray for God's grace & comfort to all of you.
Love, Eva Kelley