The Denver runner who died from a lightning strike Friday was an architectural engineer, a project manager for Mortensen Construction Co. and an avid cross-country runner, rock climber and swimmer.
Just two years out of the University of Colorado, 24-year-old Luke Altmix-Simmons was overseeing the conversion of the downtown Denver Embassy Suites Hotel to a Ritz-Carlton. He worked 12-hour days in the field to which he’d aspired since he was young.
But more than that, he was a person who enjoyed people and life to the fullest, his family said Monday.
“He couldn’t stand to be inside,” said his mother, Margy Altmix. “He was always looking for the next country with big mountains to climb.”
“He was adventurous in a huge way,” said his father, Jim Simmons.
What made him stand out was his ability to get along with people in all stations of life, they said.
“He wanted all his friends to be happy,” said his girlfriend, Margi Tanis, 24. “He never sought the spotlight. Everyone who knew him loved him. He was just a great, great guy.”
At any gathering he would mingle with the crowd, usually with a beer in one hand, a smile on his face and a deep interest in the people in the room.
“He was interested in people and their stories,” said his brother Zach Altmix-Simmons.
“He loved to hug and be hugged,” said his stepfather, Paul Hedquist.
After the tsunami in Thailand, Luke volunteered to go there and rebuild the home of a fisherman who had lost his family.
When he returned to the United States, he said he was impressed with how “incredibly grateful” the Thai people were for his help and the help of others.
His family also said he was fearless.
While at CU, some “bad guys” went through his dorm, stealing personal belongings. Jim Simmons said Luke and several friends took off after the thieves in their stocking feet.
Ultimately, Luke’s friends stopped, but Luke continued. One of the thieves suddenly stopped.
“The guy pulls a gun, points it at Luke and says, ‘Back off,”‘ Jim Simmons recalled.
“He was a neat kid – lovable – who loved life,” Hedquist said.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at the Allnutt Hunter Chapel, 2100 N. Lincoln Ave., Loveland. Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. Thursday.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the Lucas Altmix Simmons Fund being established at Wells Fargo Bank in Loveland.
Staff writer Howard Pankratz can be reached at 303-954-1939 or hpankratz@denverpost.com.
