April 14th, 1938 - April 30th, 2021
Gernot ‘Mike’ Klaube passed away peacefully, his two daughters by his side, on April 30, 2021 in Boulder, Colorado. Born in Dortmund, Germany on April 14, 1938 to the late Wilhelm and Anna Louisa Klaube during the difficult time of World War 2, setting up a lifetime of frugality, except for fast Porsche’s, fast bicycles and fast skis to which money was no object.
A natural athlete, Mike enjoyed soccer and sports growing up and attended trade school to learn woodworking. With his sights set on bigger things, he immigrated to the United States in 1958 as a professional welterweight boxer.
He settled down in Albuquerque, New Mexico marrying Gloria Griego in 1963 and had two daughters - all whose free spirts sharply contrasted his Type A personality. He owned a successful cabinet company from 1962-1986 and continued to work in the cabinet industry until his retirement. Mike was competitive, believed in hard work and if something was worth doing, it’s worth doing right and to the best of your ability. He enjoyed pushing himself to the limits and was an accomplished gymkhana Porsche racer, soccer player, marathon runner and three time New Mexico State Boxing Champion in two separate weight divisions.
He was a nationally recognized cross country ski racer and raced in the Worldloppet, the American Birkebeiner 50K for over forty-five consecutive years, rode the ‘Triple Bypass’ a 120 mile bike ride and also enjoyed volunteering as a Golden Gloves boxing referee. He loved watching the Tour de France, the Colorado Avalanche and the only time he would take a day off from work was to watch Germany play soccer in the World Cup.
Drawn to the Colorado mountains and lifestyle, Mike moved to Boulder in 1990 and remained on the front range until his death. Mike is proceeded in death by his wife Gloria Klaube (1937-2015) and is survived by his daughters Anna Klaube (son in law; Rich Hackett) and Brigitte Klaube (son in law; Ron Taylor) and his beloved and adored grandchildren Kyle Taylor, Chrissy Nolting and Austin Hackett-Klaube. He also leaves behind his sisters Annaliese and Brigitte in Germany and his sisters in law Toni Lovato and Liz Candelaria and brother in law Jake Griego of Albuquerque, New Mexico and many cherished nieces and nephews.
Due to Covid-19 a celebration of life will be held this summer but in the meantime, the next time you run, bike or ski, dedicate your day to him. Mike’s final gift was a brain bank donation to the University of Boston’s Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Center for research to further prevent CTE in athletes.
In lieu of flowers, the family prefers donations be made to the Concussion Legacy Foundation at 361 Newbury St. 5th Floor Boston MA. 02115 or concussionfoundation.org
