Charles Francis Solko

Charles Francis Solko, 87, of Denver, took the last exit ramp on the highway of life on Thursday November 5, 2015

Born June 19, 1928 in Herndon, Kansas, he was the youngest of ten children born to Carl Solko and Anna (Barenberg) Solko

In hopes of relieving allergies and hay fever, he left the farm in Kansas in 1947 and headed for Denver. Trying his hand at a variety of jobs, he was working in 1950 as a dump truck driver hauling aggregates on Wolf Creek Pass when he got the call to work for the Colorado Dept. of Highways. He was only there for six months when he received an invitation from Harry S. Truman to see Korea. Luckily, his contribution to the war was in the "C" Company of the 83rd Engineers Battalion stationed in Portiers, France. Upon his return as a Staff Sergeant in 1952, he told Lady Liberty if she ever wanted to see his face again she would have to turn around. Upon his return to Colorado, the laws required the State Highway Department to give him his job back.

He married Patricia Joan Sadusky in 1954 and together with Pat raised 5 children. Working as a materials engineer, he gained knowledge of concrete and asphalt paving quality control as well as soils and samples testing. In 1973 he assisted in setting up the testing labs for the first bore of the Eisenhower Tunnel. When the second bore was done in 1977 he oversaw the concrete quality control for the project. He went on to enjoy a thirty three year career with the Colorado Dept. of Highways, earning the respect of paving contractors throughout the state.

While he had a great enthusiasm for Polka music and loved to travel for a polka convention, his true passion was in the automotive world. He had a known penchant for dragging home derelict vehicles and giving them respite in his ever expanding garage area. Although very few of those autos spent long in the driveway once they were rehabilitated, well over 100 cars, trucks and tractors were given new life in his hands.

Charles Solko is survived by his wife of 61 years, Patricia (Sadusky) Solko of Aurora, CO; five children and spouses, Dave and Michelle Solko of Casper, WY, Dan and Cheryl Solko of Denver, CO, Lori and Vance Franks of Centennial, CO, Steve and Lisa Solko of Grand Junction, CO, and Carl and Debbie Solko of Bailey, CO; thirteen grandchildren, Jonathan, Justin, Jeremy, Kat, Rachel, Heather, (Joe), Cade, Austin, Maxwell, Jack, Mandy, Josh, and Shelby.

He's now driving on perfectly smooth asphalt with his left arm out the open window, whistling to the radio. Happy Motoring Pop.


Donations can be made in Charles memory to the Dominican Home Health Agency, 2501 Gaylord St., Denver, CO 80205 or at info@dominicanhha.org. Since 1923, the mission of Dominican Home Health Agency, Inc. has been to provide quality nursing care and related services to the sick in their homes. They give priority to the poor, foster the integrity of family life and assist the elderly and chronically ill to stay at home.

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