Carl Bergman, the Aspen icon behind Carl’s Pharmacy and the Miner’s Building, died peacefully Sunday at his home surrounded by his family. He was 85.
Bergman had battled cancer for more than 20 years, according to family and friends.
“Dad has been living on borrowed time for a long time,” his daughter, Linda Brining, said Tuesday. “I think he just lost steam.”
Known for his love of the steam engine, Bergman since 1976 had been a fixture at Winterskol and Fourth of July parades with his famous steam calliope. You could also find him at the Holden Marolt Mining and Ranching Museum, where he toiled away restoring and rebuilding ranch and mining equipment. He was instrumental in having the museum created through the Aspen Historical Society, one of the many contributions he and his wife, Katie, made to the community. They were inducted into the Aspen Hall of Fame in 2010.
Bergman was at the museum just a few weeks ago, finishing his last project, which now sits outside of the barn, said Katie Bergman, his wife of nearly 61 years. She said her husband was unwavering in everything he did, and wouldn’t stop until the job was done. And he didn’t let his deteriorating health get in the way.
“Most people would have given up years and years ago, but he just had things to do,” she said.
Read the full story .
