Walter Koelbel
Born and raised in Muskegon, MI, Walter Koelbel began his life of service to the community early on. Immediately following high school, as World War II seemed far from over, he enlisted in the Navy. As he described it, by some unknown stroke of fate, he was assigned to the University of Colorado, where he was commissioned as an Ensign in 1945. Koelbel was honorably discharged from the Navy in 1946. He graduated from the University of Colorado with a business degree in 1947.
In the post-war economy, jobs and opportunities were hard to come by. But again, luck would prevail. Without much career planning and purely by chance, he went to work for Moore Realty. Three years later, he founded Koelbel and Company, a real estate development, investment, construction, and insurance company.
In addition to Koelbel’s vision to create major real estate projects throughout the region, he was genuinely committed to several civic programs. He served on numerous boards of directors, including Colorado Women’s College, University of Colorado Foundation, and Goodwill Industries of Colorado.
His tremendous dedication earned him the University of Colorado Medal and recognition as the University of Colorado’s Distinguished Business Alumni. As a former CU football player, he was inducted into the university’s Athletic Hall of Honor. Most notably, Goodwill Industries recognized Koelbel for his “sincere concern and commitment to society” by awarding him the Lifetime Service Award. He also received the CU Real Estate Center’s Man of the Year Award and NAIOP’s President’s Award for Community Service. He received the Henry M. Porter Award with his wife for their outstanding philanthropic contributions to the state.
In the post-war economy, jobs and opportunities were hard to come by. But again, luck would prevail. Without much career planning and purely by chance, he went to work for Moore Realty. Three years later, he founded Koelbel and Company, a real estate development, investment, construction, and insurance company.
In addition to Koelbel’s vision to create major real estate projects throughout the region, he was genuinely committed to several civic programs. He served on numerous boards of directors, including Colorado Women’s College, University of Colorado Foundation, and Goodwill Industries of Colorado.
His tremendous dedication earned him the University of Colorado Medal and recognition as the University of Colorado’s Distinguished Business Alumni. As a former CU football player, he was inducted into the university’s Athletic Hall of Honor. Most notably, Goodwill Industries recognized Koelbel for his “sincere concern and commitment to society” by awarding him the Lifetime Service Award. He also received the CU Real Estate Center’s Man of the Year Award and NAIOP’s President’s Award for Community Service. He received the Henry M. Porter Award with his wife for their outstanding philanthropic contributions to the state.