Darwin Elbert Harfert, 84, of Colorado Springs, died Nov 6, 2020, at Sunny Vista Living Center in Colorado Springs Co.  Darwin was born on Apr 27, 1936 to Ben and Lena Harfert at Saint Francis Hospital, in Colorado Springs Co.

Darwin spent most of his childhood on his parent’s farm and ranch near Kutch, Colorado.  After graduating from Big Sandy High School in Simla, Colorado in 1954, he went to Colorado State University and pursued degrees in Chemistry and Agriculture. Darwin was also invited to try out for the Chicago Cubs’ triple-AAA farm team in Denver, known as the Denver Bears. In 1957, Darwin and his wife Pat Harfert and newborn son Michael Fred Harfert born 1956,  moved to Grants, New Mexico where he was employed as a chemist by the Anaconda Uranium Mines.  While living in New Mexico daughter Cynthia Jean Harfert (Hurst) 1958, and son Terryll Harfert 1959 were born. 

In 1960, Darwin and his family moved back to Colorado and Darwin became the General Manager of the family-owned Dr. Pepper Bottling Company in Colorado Springs, Co.

In 1962, after his father, Ben, sold the bottling company, Darwin and his family moved to Simla, Colorado where Darwin operated the Harfert Enterprises Dairy, until 1968.  In 1965 Darwin and his family moved to Kutch and Darwin began farming and ranching with his father Ben Harfert.  Darwin and Ben would also purchase the Matheson Grain Elevator and operate it until 1978. In 1972, Darwin and Pat were divorced. Darwin remarried in 1974 to Donna (Bevans) Schmeiser.  Donna and her sons Marlin Schmeiser and Mike Schmeiser, would help Darwin and Donna on the farm until 1981.

In 1981, Darwin and his father sold the Grain Elevator and the farm and ranch near Kutch, and moved the family to Simla, Co.  Between 1981- 1987, Darwin would develop a custom harvesting business, which specialized in harvesting corn, wheat, and barley, traveling from Texas to Canada.  In 1987, Darwin became a Representative Appraiser for Farmers State Bank in Calhan CO where he worked until he retired in 1995.  Darwin and Donna moved to Colorado Springs in 1992. In 1997, Darwin and Donna moved to Star Harbor, Malakoff, Tx. 

While in Star Harbor Darwin kept himself busy tending to his beautiful yard and was especially proud of his roses. He also became an active member of the First United Methodist Church of Malakoff, and helped develop the Food Pantry for the Church. 

In 2017, Darwin and Donna moved back to Colorado Springs, where Both Donna and Darwin lived until Donna passed in 2018 and Darwin passed on Nov 6, 2020 .

In remembrance of Darwin’s life, he requested that in lieu of flowers that charitable donations be made to First United Methodist Church of Malakoff Tx, P.O Box 447, Malakoff, Tx 75148, or to the American Cancer Society at  www.cancer.org/donate. Or for local donations American Cancer Society, P.O 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123.  Send a note with zip code so donations go to your local Cancer Society.