Don Binder, 76, of Montrose, CO, died on Friday, March 11, 2016 at his home in Montrose.

Don was born on August 3, 1939 near Munjor, Kansas, the son of Adolph and Eleanor (Pfannenstiel) Binder. He grew up on the family dairy farm near Hays and attended Munjor Grade School and graduated from St. Joseph’s Military Academy. After graduation Don enlisted in the Marine Corps, serving in the Philippines and Okinawa. He was honorably discharged in 1960.

Don graduated from Fort Hays State University in 1971 with an Education Specialist Degree in School Psychology. He worked in his chosen field of education as a school psychologist and administrator for 30 years, ending his career as the Director of Student Services for the Montrose County School District. During his career, he worked tirelessly to provide educational services to children with special needs.

Although the mountain landscape was what brought Don to Colorado, it was the desert landscape of south eastern Utah that he truly loved. He began hiking in the Cedar Mesa and Grand Gulch areas in the late ‘70s and continued to wander there as often as he could. He was an active member of the Chipeta Chapter of the Colorado Archaeological Society.

Don is survived by his wife Elizabeth, with whom he shared 38 wonderful years. Together they shared four children: Mitchell Carroll and wife Susie of Mountain Grove, MO.; Curt Weimer and wife Buffy of Kemah, Texas; Jody Weimer and wife Kim of Nucla; and Amy Carver and partner Brad Duran of Grand Junction, CO. Also surviving are grandchildren: Michael, Jennifer, and Anne Carroll; Megan, Gordon, Tyler, Logan, and Morgan Weimer; Hannah, Haley, and Cacy Carver; and Myta and Jared Smith; and great-grandchildren Rowdy, Emma, and Paetynn.

Our family survivors include Elaine Horne (Ron) of Canyon City, CO; Kathleen Ward (Les) of Hays, KS; and Barb Elliott (Jeff) of Natoma, KS, and many beloved nieces and nephews.

A private family Celebration of Life was held in Montrose on March 15, 2016.