David Bellack, former general counsel for Aspen Skiing Co. and once president of Aspen Valley Land Trust’s board of directors, passed away Monday, according to family and friends. He was 60.
Bellack spent nearly 20 years as Skico’s in-house attorney, working on land agreements, leases, legacy issues and litigation. He was instrumental in the Snowmass Base Village project, including the acquisition of the land as well as obtaining the land-use approvals. Bellack, who also worked with Skico’s sustainability department, stepped down from Skico in September 2013.
Through daughter Liesl Bellack, the family issued the following statement:
“Those who truly knew my dad, Dave Bellack, saw a man who loved his family more than anything else in the world. He loved fly-fishing the Yellowstone, bone-fishing the Bahamas or carping with corn on the plains. He loved paddling the green, backpacking the canyon and ‘grab your gear’ at Ruedi with Birdy and Bie. He loved cooking with the help of Ms. Kelly and planning camping trips with laminated menus and accompanying shows.
“We knew a man who was sharp as a tack, thoughtful, strategic and never failed to remind you, that if you order pork, you got no beef comin’. We knew a curious thinker, a brilliant lawyer, a creative problem solver and an adventurer. Always protective of the people he loved most, my dad was as stubborn as they come and never a quitter.
“As a highly active member of the Roaring Fork Valley community for 25 years, countless people have told me ‘Oh, yes! I know your dad.’ But few might guess that the work he was most proud of was the opportunities to protect deep sea fish and pockets of wildland here in the valley as the former president of the Aspen Valley Land Trust.
“My family and I are deeply grateful for the support of my dad’s dearest friends. Thank you for taking the time to share stories of the man he truly was.
“Dad, we knew we were your world, we’ll always be walking together, watching for bears.”