Summit Historical Society lost a great friend and volunteer with the passing of Harriett Bobo last summer. Harriett was a tireless volunteer, working with many Summit County cultural and environmental organizations.
Harriett was born in Florence, Alabama. She attended Newcomb College in Louisiana. Harriett worked for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) in New Orleans. In the late 1960s, women field inspectors like Harriett were a novelty. She worked for the ATF for 37 years, ending her career as a member of the Senior Executive Service. Harriett loved skiing and the mountains. She retired in Keystone to start her second ‘career’ volunteering. She involved herself in philanthropy and was hostess at the Alpine Stube restaurant on top of Keystone’s North Peak Mountain.
Harriett immersed herself in the community, volunteering with nonprofit organizations. Harriett became involved with the National Repertory Orchestra, where she was a volunteer usher. She also sponsored a chair and a clarinet player each year.
Harriett supported the Summit Foundation and the Summit Concert Band. She volunteered for the Continental Divide Land Trust, the Bristlecone Foundation. Harriett served as a relentless volunteer because she spent hours working at the Summit County Community & Senior Center garden. She also led hikes for senior groups. Harriett was a Ranger Patroller for the Friends of the Dillon Ranger District and hiked with their members.
She ushered at the Lake Dillon Theater and was honored with a plaque on the donor wall of the new building in Silverthorne. She volunteered for the Keystone Neighborhood Company, was a big supporter of the Nature Conservancy, The Dercum Center of the Arts and Humanities and the Snake River Music Festival. Moreover, Harriett was a major donor and volunteer at the Summit Historical Society.
Harriett’s life exemplified volunteerism at its best. The Historical Society honored the memory of Harriett by initiating the Harriett Bobo Volunteer of the Year Award at our volunteer appreciation event in August.
Harriett lived by the quote, “Women are strong. Women are capable.” Harriett is being honored for generously giving her time, service and financial support to important nonprofit Summit County organizations.
