Philippe Dunoyer passed away peacefully in Denver, in the early hours of May 27. He was born in Paris on May 3rd 1930.
His first encounter with the U.S. was Golden, CO in 1952 when he attended graduate school at the Colorado School of Mines, followed by a year of research at UCLA. He quickly discovered the ski slopes of Aspen, where he afforded and indulged his passion for the mountains by washing dishes at the famous Red Onion. In 1954, he sailed back to France on the Ile de France, where he met Cynthia. This ocean crossing was the perfect setting to ignite a lifelong romance. They were married in 1956 at Le Rayat, the home of Philippe's beloved grandmother, in Southwest France, now the most cherished gathering place for Philippe's children, grandchildren, extended family and friends, as well as the point of departure for countless expeditions in the Pyrénées mountains.
His career in the oil business took him to Algeria, Libya's Sahara desert (where Cecilia and Louis were born), Italy, Austria, and back to Paris in the 60's. In 1975, the French oil company Total gave Philippe the opportunity to become CEO of TOPNA (Total Petroleum, North America), since acquired by Valero. After six years in Alma, Michigan, he moved TOPNA's headquarters to Denver to return to his beloved mountains, fully intending to spend the rest of his life in gorgeous Colorado - for work AND play alike.
After Philippe retired in 1992, he dedicated the next three decades to dreaming up and planning adventures for his growing family, across the US and Europe, including mountaineering, skiing, road and mountain biking and hiking. Throughout this extensive traveling, he savored every moment, every meal, every wine, whether in the back of his Ford Explorer or at a Michelin star restaurant in France. His unbounded energy and epicurean way of life extended well beyond his family. Philippe generously contributed his heart, brilliance and resources to the Denver community, serving on the boards of Opera Colorado, Colorado Symphony, Denver Public Library, Museum of Nature and Science, and Alma College, Michigan. He taught courses on International Affairs for the McBride humanities program at the Colorado School of Mines for ten years.
Philippe was a true renaissance man with a rich fondness for music, art, literature and history. His passion for life and generosity of heart touched many and his fierce spirit lives on through all those whose paths crossed his. He is survived by his wife, Cynthia; his four children, Cecilia, Louis, Francois and Jean and their spouses, Taylor, Isabelle, Lisa and Gretchen; eleven grandchildren: Alice, Achille, Francois, Emile, Juliette, Jake, Eddie, Max, Francesca, Jamie and Julia, all spread out between France and the two coasts of the U.S; and one great-grandchild, Laszlo, Philippe's shining light during his last two years.
His first encounter with the U.S. was Golden, CO in 1952 when he attended graduate school at the Colorado School of Mines, followed by a year of research at UCLA. He quickly discovered the ski slopes of Aspen, where he afforded and indulged his passion for the mountains by washing dishes at the famous Red Onion. In 1954, he sailed back to France on the Ile de France, where he met Cynthia. This ocean crossing was the perfect setting to ignite a lifelong romance. They were married in 1956 at Le Rayat, the home of Philippe's beloved grandmother, in Southwest France, now the most cherished gathering place for Philippe's children, grandchildren, extended family and friends, as well as the point of departure for countless expeditions in the Pyrénées mountains.
His career in the oil business took him to Algeria, Libya's Sahara desert (where Cecilia and Louis were born), Italy, Austria, and back to Paris in the 60's. In 1975, the French oil company Total gave Philippe the opportunity to become CEO of TOPNA (Total Petroleum, North America), since acquired by Valero. After six years in Alma, Michigan, he moved TOPNA's headquarters to Denver to return to his beloved mountains, fully intending to spend the rest of his life in gorgeous Colorado - for work AND play alike.
After Philippe retired in 1992, he dedicated the next three decades to dreaming up and planning adventures for his growing family, across the US and Europe, including mountaineering, skiing, road and mountain biking and hiking. Throughout this extensive traveling, he savored every moment, every meal, every wine, whether in the back of his Ford Explorer or at a Michelin star restaurant in France. His unbounded energy and epicurean way of life extended well beyond his family. Philippe generously contributed his heart, brilliance and resources to the Denver community, serving on the boards of Opera Colorado, Colorado Symphony, Denver Public Library, Museum of Nature and Science, and Alma College, Michigan. He taught courses on International Affairs for the McBride humanities program at the Colorado School of Mines for ten years.
Philippe was a true renaissance man with a rich fondness for music, art, literature and history. His passion for life and generosity of heart touched many and his fierce spirit lives on through all those whose paths crossed his. He is survived by his wife, Cynthia; his four children, Cecilia, Louis, Francois and Jean and their spouses, Taylor, Isabelle, Lisa and Gretchen; eleven grandchildren: Alice, Achille, Francois, Emile, Juliette, Jake, Eddie, Max, Francesca, Jamie and Julia, all spread out between France and the two coasts of the U.S; and one great-grandchild, Laszlo, Philippe's shining light during his last two years.
Philippe Dunoyer passed away peacefully in Denver, in the early hours of May 27. He was born in Paris on May 3rd 1930.
His first encounter with the U.S. was Golden, CO in 1952 when he attended graduate school at the Colorado School of Mines, followed by a year of research at UCLA. He quickly discovered the ski slopes of Aspen, where he afforded and indulged his passion for the mountains by washing dishes at the famous Red Onion. In 1954, he sailed back to France on the Ile de France, where he met Cynthia. This ocean crossing was the perfect setting to ignite a lifelong romance. They were married in 1956 at Le Rayat, the home of Philippe's beloved grandmother, in Southwest France, now the most cherished gathering place for Philippe's children, grandchildren, extended family and friends, as well as the point of departure for countless expeditions in the Pyrénées mountains.
His career in the oil business took him to Algeria, Libya's Sahara desert (where Cecilia and Louis were born), Italy, Austria, and back to Paris in the 60's. In 1975, the French oil company Total gave Philippe the opportunity to become CEO of TOPNA (Total Petroleum, North America), since acquired by Valero. After six years in Alma, Michigan, he moved TOPNA's headquarters to Denver to return to his beloved mountains, fully intending to spend the rest of his life in gorgeous Colorado - for work AND play alike.
After Philippe retired in 1992, he dedicated the next three decades to dreaming up and planning adventures for his growing family, across the US and Europe, including mountaineering, skiing, road and mountain biking and hiking. Throughout this extensive traveling, he savored every moment, every meal, every wine, whether in the back of his Ford Explorer or at a Michelin star restaurant in France. His unbounded energy and epicurean way of life extended well beyond his family. Philippe generously contributed his heart, brilliance and resources to the Denver community, serving on the boards of Opera Colorado, Colorado Symphony, Denver Public Library, Museum of Nature and Science, and Alma College, Michigan. He taught courses on International Affairs for the McBride humanities program at the Colorado School of Mines for ten years.
Philippe was a true renaissance man with a rich fondness for music, art, literature and history. His passion for life and generosity of heart touched many and his fierce spirit lives on through all those whose paths crossed his. He is survived by his wife, Cynthia; his four children, Cecilia, Louis, Francois and Jean and their spouses, Taylor, Isabelle, Lisa and Gretchen; eleven grandchildren: Alice, Achille, Francois, Emile, Juliette, Jake, Eddie, Max, Francesca, Jamie and Julia, all spread out between France and the two coasts of the U.S; and one great-grandchild, Laszlo, Philippe's shining light during his last two years.
His first encounter with the U.S. was Golden, CO in 1952 when he attended graduate school at the Colorado School of Mines, followed by a year of research at UCLA. He quickly discovered the ski slopes of Aspen, where he afforded and indulged his passion for the mountains by washing dishes at the famous Red Onion. In 1954, he sailed back to France on the Ile de France, where he met Cynthia. This ocean crossing was the perfect setting to ignite a lifelong romance. They were married in 1956 at Le Rayat, the home of Philippe's beloved grandmother, in Southwest France, now the most cherished gathering place for Philippe's children, grandchildren, extended family and friends, as well as the point of departure for countless expeditions in the Pyrénées mountains.
His career in the oil business took him to Algeria, Libya's Sahara desert (where Cecilia and Louis were born), Italy, Austria, and back to Paris in the 60's. In 1975, the French oil company Total gave Philippe the opportunity to become CEO of TOPNA (Total Petroleum, North America), since acquired by Valero. After six years in Alma, Michigan, he moved TOPNA's headquarters to Denver to return to his beloved mountains, fully intending to spend the rest of his life in gorgeous Colorado - for work AND play alike.
After Philippe retired in 1992, he dedicated the next three decades to dreaming up and planning adventures for his growing family, across the US and Europe, including mountaineering, skiing, road and mountain biking and hiking. Throughout this extensive traveling, he savored every moment, every meal, every wine, whether in the back of his Ford Explorer or at a Michelin star restaurant in France. His unbounded energy and epicurean way of life extended well beyond his family. Philippe generously contributed his heart, brilliance and resources to the Denver community, serving on the boards of Opera Colorado, Colorado Symphony, Denver Public Library, Museum of Nature and Science, and Alma College, Michigan. He taught courses on International Affairs for the McBride humanities program at the Colorado School of Mines for ten years.
Philippe was a true renaissance man with a rich fondness for music, art, literature and history. His passion for life and generosity of heart touched many and his fierce spirit lives on through all those whose paths crossed his. He is survived by his wife, Cynthia; his four children, Cecilia, Louis, Francois and Jean and their spouses, Taylor, Isabelle, Lisa and Gretchen; eleven grandchildren: Alice, Achille, Francois, Emile, Juliette, Jake, Eddie, Max, Francesca, Jamie and Julia, all spread out between France and the two coasts of the U.S; and one great-grandchild, Laszlo, Philippe's shining light during his last two years.
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