Post by Colorado Snowsports Museum and Hall of Fame

Tribute Tuesday • Robert Heron • Hall of Fame Class of 1985 • Sport Builder Robert, a Colorado native, first saw the light of day in Canon City, on April 9, 1914. After attending grade school in Colorado and New Mexico he attended the University of New Mexico and the University of Colorado. His first engineering job was with the Kennicott Copper Company in 1937, which led to his aerial tramway work, as he designed them for mining operations. From 1943-1945, he was employed by Stearns Roger Manufacturing Company, where his mentor and teacher was the famed aerial tramway engineer, Fred C. Carstarphen. Robert designed passenger tramways, primarily for the military, which later served the famed 10th Mountain Division at Camp Hale and the system followed them into action during World War II, including the Battle of Riva Ridge. Following the War, components of his system were used in early chairlifts at Arapahoe Basin Ski Area and Berthoud Pass. He organized the Heron Engineering Company in 1945 and was its president until 1969. They won recognition for installing the famous # 1 chairlift in Aspen (Aspen Snowmass), and the construction for the second section to the Sundeck. He provided the first fixed grip continuous circulating double chair in the world for Berthoud Pass in 1946.