MEEKER | Colorado natives Richard and Pearl Ellsworth will have lived in Meeker for 40 years as of June, and they are pretty happy to be living their lives in a rural surrounding.
The Ellsworths met when they were both students at what was then Mesa College in Grand Junction. They moved to Meeker after Richard finished his education at Colorado State University in Fort Collins in 1973, about eight years after they were married.
Richard grew up in Rocky Ford and Pearl in Grand Junction.
Their marriage brought about two children. The oldest child, daughter Rebecca Eaton, now resides in Eaton, Colo., and son Danny Ellsworth is in Waterhouse, Wisc. Between Rebecca and Danny, the Ellsworths have five grandchildren.
Pearl has worked at the Meeker Public Library for the past 19 years. Richard is a retired teacher, having worked for 13 years at Colorado Northwestern Community College and at Meeker High School for 16 years.
Richard currently serves on the board of directors of Pioneers Medical Center and the board of the Meeker Christian Church. Years ago, he also served on the Rio Blanco County Fair Board.
Pearl has done her bit of community service as well, having served on the Horizons board of directors.
Regarding hobbies, Richard said, “I don’t know if you can call it a hobby, but we also ranch part time even though I am retired and Pearl is still working.”
Richard said he doesn’t have any outdoor hobbies “anymore,” and that Pearl enjoys her sewing.
Asked what he likes most about living in Meeker, Richard said, “We really love the rural atmosphere.”