Urban Francis Feth

Dubby;

Growing up Urban was the "apple of his grandfather's eye" in Mandan North Dakota. Grandpa Joseph Wetsch affectionately called him "Urbie", which the young Urban had trouble pronouncing. Soon it became Dubby, the name he carried with him throughout his life.

He is survived by wife Delores "Dee" Feth; children: Kathy (Jayme) Freisz, James Feth, Karan (Mark) Alexander, Cheryl (Rod) Buchele, Tammi (Alex) Santana, Jill (Larry) Leavitt, and Todd (Chris) Baker; brother Jerome (Susan) Feth; 3 nephews, Andrew (Jessica) Feth, TJ (Jamie) Feth and David (Megan) Feth; 9 grandchildren: Cameron, Brandon, Renee, Nicole, Doug, Jennifer, Justin, Trent, and Avry; and 3 great grandchildren, Travis, Kaitlyn, and Halie.

After Peter and Eva Feth moved to Linton, North Dakota, a maturing Dubby became proficient at the trumpet and, along side of his close friend Lewis Marquardt, developed a love for model airplanes. There in the basement of the Feth home, they passed the cold winter months building planes and carrying on like teenagers do.

When warm weather arrived Dubby and Lewis were constantly flying planes or "hitch-hiking" around North Dakota to various model airplane shows and flying events.

After high school Dubby joined the United States Air Force and spent almost four years in Puerto Rico as an airplane mechanic. On one trip home to Linton, he was introduced to Beatrice Baumgartner.

When he got out of the Air Force he managed to find a job with the Martin Company in Denver. Coincidentally, Bea had moved to Denver in the interim, and in 1957, they were married.

As time passed they raised three children, Kathy, Jimmy and Karan.

Dubby's work with Martin created several opportunities. Early in the 60's the Martin Company lost a few contracts and faced some down-sizing. Many of his co-workers had to find new jobs in other parts of the United States. Since the housing market was depressed Dubby seized the opportunity to take over payments available homes and started renting them out.

Rising concern for his future with Martin caused him to start a furniture store on South Federal in Denver. With Peter's help, they started Aspen Furniture early in the 1960's. A few years later Dubby resigned at Martin and opened a second store at 8th Ave and Santa Fe, close to downtown Denver.

After operating the store for approximately 20 years, he sold Aspen Furniture in 1976 and began his "retirement" at age 43.

His "retirement" was spent taking care of his several rental houses, traveling, playing golf and flying model airplanes.

He enjoyed spending winter in Arizona and the summer months in Colorado. After Beatrice's passing in 1987 Dubby had lunch with Bea's friend Dee Baker. There was a natural attraction between them and later they were married in one of Dub's favorite places, Lake Tahoe, California.

Dub and Dee shared the love for both of their individual families. They enjoyed time with children and grandchildren alike.

Some comments about his life are below:

Dubby never wanted to "light the world on fire" he just wanted to add some warmth to those around him. He never appeared to be angry or depressed. Like his father he always glad to see you and genuinely interested in enjoying your company.

Often he said, "I am the luckiest person in the world! I found two wonderful wives, had great children and never wanted for anything. Now I have two families, who could ask for anything more?"

Every morning when he woke up his feet would hit the floor and he would start to whistle. His whistle continued to echo throughout Leisure World where he wintered in Arizona. We are told by many how they miss the happy sound of his tunes.

His great passion for building and flying model airplanes was infectious. He taught many friends and family to fly but no one could build and occasionally crash them the way he did!

Remembering one of his childhood stories… among the rolling hills in North Dakota he and a friend played Taps on their trumpets at a funeral. They echoed each of the others' notes. We think the notes are once again being echoed, but this time for our dear Dub.

Please send us your comments, memories and observations for inclusion in a book of remembrance.