Pat Esparsen and his wife Placida moved to Minturn, Colorado in 1952 where he found work in the zinc mine in Gilman. He worked there for more than 19 years. He and his wife had 8 children, many of whom still reside in the Vail Valley along with 3 additional generations.

While working at the mine, he also began Vail All Seasons Firewood, a business that he started devoting full energy to in the early 1970’s.

A diligent worker who relished being his own boss, he built the enterprise into a thriving business. At the time of his death on April 2, 1989, he had hundreds of customers throughout the Vail Valley, many of whom he had served for more than 20 years. He loved his customers and had a desire to help those around him. He used to say, “What better thing to do than to serve people and make them happy?”

A popular and friendly man, he firmly believed in self-reliance, and taught his children that whatever they wanted, they should work for and make it happen.

He was a hard-working man who warmed the valley with his personality as well as his long-time firewood business. Throughout the years and in his absence, he is still remembered by those who had the great pleasure of knowing him as a business owner and friend and by those who loved him.

Excerpts from Vail Trail article published on April 7, 1989