When Cal Frazier talked, “people listened because they knew he knew what he was talking about,” former Gov. Dick Lamm said.
Frazier, retired state superintendent of schools, died Monday at his home in Lakewood. He was 75.
Services will be Saturday at 2 p.m. at Shepherd of the Hills Presbyterian Church, 11500 W. 20th Ave., Lakewood.
Frazier was described by colleagues as a listener above all else.
“He didn’t come in acting like he was the state commissioner and telling us the rules, but rather he asked how he could help,” said Dick Koeppe, former superintendent of Cherry Creek Schools. “His ego never got in the way.”
One of Frazier’s favorite sayings was “Anything can be accomplished when no one needs credit,” said his son Paul Frazier of Hortonville, Wis.
Cal Frazier taught in public schools in Washington and at the University of Colorado and the University of Denver, and was assistant superintendent of Colorado Springs schools. He became commissioner in 1973.
In his 14 years there, he worked for three governors besides Lamm: John Vanderhoof, Roy Romer and John Love, said his wife, Jean Frazier. He annually prepared and presented the budget to the governor and legislature, issued a report on the state of education and lobbied the legislature on school issues.
But he also did things not everyone knew about: He tried to visit each school district in the state every three years, and he often attended high school graduations in the tiniest schools – some of which had three graduates, Paul Frazier said.
“He loved listening to kids,” the son said.
One of his major interests was to improve teacher training, Paul Frazier said.
Calvin Frazier was born Aug. 28, 1930, in Boulder and lost both parents in his youth. He delivered newspapers, cleaned stores and worked in gold mines to make money, Paul Frazier said.
He graduated from Palmer High School in Colorado Springs and the University of Puget Sound. There he met Jean Hagemeyer, and they were married Jan. 8, 1952. He earned his master’s and doctorate degrees at the University of Oregon, and that school named him its outstanding alum in 2005.
After retiring, he did consulting work, including some work with Chinese university officials.
In addition to his wife and son, he is survived by two daughters, Anne Frazier of Golden and Laurie Wheeler of Stevenson, Wash.; another son, Scott Frazier of Coal Creek, Colo.; nine grandchildren; and his brother, David M. Frazier of Lakewood.
Staff writer Virginia Culver can be reached at vculver@denverpost.com or 303-820-1223.
