Louis "Lou" D. Skoglund

Lou Skoglund, our much-loved dad, grandpa, friend, and neighbor, passed away on October 20th. He was almost 93 years old.

Lou was born on November 27, 1932, in Rio Linda, California. His parents were civilians who lived on McClellan Air Force Base, and he was the first of his family to be born in the United States. His mother was from Canada, and his father was from Sweden. Growing up, he had a large family in town, spent time with friends and relatives, and worked on a chicken ranch that his family owned.

Lou could fix anything including houses, cars, trucks, vans, boats, tractors, lawnmowers, snowblowers, and rototillers. You name it, he could fix it. Keep in mind that he was self-taught and didn’t have access to the internet or how-to videos for most of his life. He just figured everything out on his own.

His technical aptitude was put to good use throughout his impressive career. He served four years in the United States Air Force Reserves and spent about two of those years stationed in Washington state. After that, he moved to Nebraska where he farmed sugar beets and Great Northern white beans. He loved farming and driving his John Deere tractor. A few years later, he moved back to California, started working at FMC Corporation as a junior draftsman, and eventually became a mechanical engineer.

He later worked for Martin Marietta in Littleton, Colorado, went back to FMC Corporation in California, and then moved back to Littleton permanently. He had a secret security clearance from the Department of Defense and worked on many interesting projects. He helped design the M113 armored personnel carrier, which was the most widely used U.S. Army armored vehicle in the Vietnam War, and the first aluminum hull combat vehicle to be put into mass production. He also helped design transport vehicles for the Space Shuttle and the LGM-118 Peacekeeper MX missile. He retired from the aerospace division of Lockheed Martin in 1993.

Over the years, he and his beloved late wife Carla stayed active and made many friends, who they loved and appreciated. They traveled extensively and enjoyed square dancing, snow skiing, waterskiing, and mountain biking. They joined a riding group called the Cycle Paths and explored many of the bike paths around town. During Covid, Lou started riding his bike by himself, rode every inch of the High Line Canal Trail, and put 900 miles on his bike during the year he turned 90. Several years ago, he also learned how to play pickleball with amazing people he met at the Arapahoe Community College gym, which further broadened his circle of friends.

Lou also enjoyed music and singing. For many years, he was the MC for a singing group called, “The Nostalgics.” They performed Broadway show tunes, such as South Pacific and My Fair Lady, at local nursing and retirement homes. In recent years, he was also a member of the Arapahoe Community College choir, and was thrilled when many supportive friends attended his performances.

Lou bought his house in Littleton in 1974 and was the original owner. He loved this house, lived in it for 49 years, and always felt blessed to have had such amazing neighbors. (We all know that S. Gray Ct. is special.) After he retired, he rebuilt the inside of the house himself. This involved tearing down walls, rewiring the electrical system, and ensuring everything was up to code.

He also enjoyed volunteering. He worked at the Chatfield Reservoir visitor center, where he gave tours and explained how the dam was built, and at the Jefferson County Action Center, which provides food and resources to those in need.

Lou is survived by his kids, Peggy Skoglund, Gail Jorgensen and her husband John, Jill Hollenbeck and her husband Craig, and Bruce Hollenbeck, by his grandkids, Cody Jorgensen, Erik Jorgensen, and Rhys Hollenbeck, and by his devoted orange cat, Penny.

We invite you to celebrate his life with us on Saturday, November 1, at a casual, come-as-you-are, open house from 1pm to 5pm. The address is 6336 S. Gray Ct. in Littleton. Food and drinks will be served.

Donations in Lou’s memory can be made to Compassionate Hospice Care or to the Jefferson County Action Center.

Please share memories and condolences with Lou’s family by signing the guestbook.