Dear Community,
It is with sadness that we share that Ted Lindeman ’73, Professor Emeritus of Chemistry and Biochemistry, died peacefully on March 6 from complications with Alzheimer’s. Known for his generous spirit, enthusiasm, and deep care for students, Ted inspired generations of budding chemists through his creative teaching and dedicated mentorship. Warm-hearted with a keen intellect, Ted had the rare gift of living in a state of wonder at the mysteries and beauty of our amazing and complex natural world. He embraced life, choosing to see the good in others and delighting in the everyday. With his bright smile and welcoming presence, Ted invited curiosity and openness to moments of awe, encouraging us to deepen our learning and our sense of connection to one another and the world.
Ted taught courses in General Chemistry along with Physical Chemistry (P-Chem) at CC for 36 years. His eager enthusiasm was infectious, and his animated teaching brought chemistry to life. Creative and energetic, he taught through equations, songs, demonstrations, and movements like the CO2 symmetric and asymmetric stretch dance. It is true, Ted enjoyed a good chemical reaction and explosion—and apparently, based on student memories, so did we. From a solid fuel-booster propulsion experiment that involved strapping boosters onto his back while ice skating at Honen Arena to building an apparatus that dropped potassium into water from 40 feet out on Tava Quad, Ted was always finding new ways to explore science. His laser beam experiment, which involved placing a laser in the basement of Olin behind walls and then shooting it up to the roof and across I-25 to demonstrate vehicle emissions, remains a lasting memory for many. He was an expert at connecting chemical abstractions to the “real world.” Ted was a generous professor and colleague, always willing to listen and offer support. He prioritized connecting with people and engaging with them in meaningful ways. Whether waving to us while riding his bicycle to his office or having long conversations, Ted embodied hospitality.
Ted grew up in Colorado Springs and was part of three generations of Lindemans who attended CC. He cared deeply for this community and was invested not only in our academic learning, but in our sense of place. Over the years, he demonstrated his care and dedication by cooking sourdough pancake breakfasts for his classes and at Faculty Club Skate parties, adding his wit when writing up faculty minutes, singing in the CC Choir, and regularly showing up at CC lectures and events. Ted volunteered with the CC Soup Kitchen, guided and supported numerous faculty children with Science Fair projects, and was always ready to step in as a judge for History Day. In the wider Colorado Springs community, he encouraged the love of science by working with local science teachers and doing demonstrations for Whiz Bang Science summer classes and Cool Science—for which he was the faculty sponsor. Ted shared his love of science as a member of the AdAmAn Club, helping set off fireworks atop Pikes Peak on New Year’s Eve for 50 years. He was also a pyrotechnician in charge of designing and shooting the Broadmoor Fourth of July fireworks shows for many years. He loved making homemade ice cream and climbing 14ers. Active at First Congregational Church, Ted enjoyed singing in the choir and supporting his faith community through numerous programs and committees.
A memorial service for Ted will take place on Saturday, May 30, at 1 p.m. at the First Congregational Church, 20 E. St. Vrain St. The service will also be livestreamed and recorded for those who cannot come. Donations In his memory can be made to Alzheimer’s Disease Research and the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry at CC. Read the full obituary for Ted.
In this time of grief, may we hold Ted’s family in the light, especially his wife Kathy and children Robyn (Andy Rossing) and Ian ’06 (Carly).
With compassion,
