George Gers

George Gers, lovingly known as Tuga and Jorge Tortuga, peacefully took his last breath on this planet, on April 17th 2026, surrounded by his family and faithful brown dog. He was a man who lived his life fully, freely, passionately and on his own terms. He found it worthwhile to explore for himself and build a one of a kind precious life. George was a way-finder, fantastic tour guide, and ocean creature whisperer.

Born to Henry Gers and Gertrude Bloom, George grew up on Rose Avenue in Venice Beach,California, where the ocean was his playground and lifelong teacher. He assisted his parents in their high-end handmade leather shop, fished off the Santa Monica pier, and took trips to desert hot springs… which turned into a life-long zeal.

He played defensive tackle on the football team at Venice High School (Class of 1969) and he carried that same bold adventurous spirit into his studies at Santa Monica Community College, at the University of California (UC) at Santa Barbara, and later at UC Davis, where he earned a degree in Urban City Planning. Though serious about education, he was even more devoted to learning through experience in nature, eventually earning what those who loved him fondly call a “PhD in fun and fearless exploration.”

A fateful backpacking journey through the Sierra Nevada and Rocky Mountains with Jennifer McEwen led them to Crested Butte in 1973. Upon seeing Crested Butte and the surrounding mountains for the first time in falling snow they called it their home. In Crested Butte they built a rich and unconventional life, growing community at “Schmoozies” Natural Foods Juice Bar and Grill. For five winters they were winter caretakers at the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory in Gothic. During this time their daughters were born: Vesper at the Magical Glade up the Slate River, and Jovielle in Gothic.

George was a master builder by profession. He designed and built a gorgeous pioneering passive three-story solar family home in 1983 for his daughters to grow up in. George embraced each and every one of his many passions wholeheartedly. He was accomplished in telemark and back-country skiing, camping, sailing, ice skating, rock climbing and golf, and treasured live music and dancing. He was a strong and crafty tennis player who won many winners trophies, and at one point was ranked the second best player in Colorado in his age bracket.

George spent a good portion of his life in Hawaii, mostly on Maui and the Big Island. He spent much time scuba diving, snorkeling, surfing and swimming with tropical fish, turtles, dolphins, seals and whales in Hawaii and was a certified Master Scuba Diver. These beautiful ocean beings would sense his calm, peaceful, safe presence and mirror his loving, curious, playful spirit.

George was well known by friends and family for leading the way into beautiful, challenging and extraordinary excursions; life changing adventures.These fantastic “Tuga tours”, as they were fondly called, went into the wilderness, the mountains and the ocean, knocking at the door of the great unknown with every opportunity he could find. You were likely to go off path, and in doing so, discover the most magical places and experiences… recognizing that the delightful journey might include uncertainty, and attempts to find elusive unmarked spots “just past the really big rock…you’ll see it, it’s unmistakable, you can’t miss it!” 

One of the keys to the epicly magical experiences that encompassed Tuga’s life came in these words of advice, “You’ve got to put yourself in the way of these experiences, they won’t happen otherwise.”

George married his beloved wife Eileen in 2010. Together they shared spectacular exotic adventures in Hawaii and the states, climbed mountains and danced their hearts out in an abundance of great concert music. He loved his new Mom Betty and delighted in being a father to bonus sons Brian and Eric.

In 2015 George began a twelve-year journey with cancer with remarkable courage and grace, never once complaining, choosing instead to savor each moment of Life. He and Eileen shared heartbreaking grief, along with family loved ones, when his beloved Crested Butte home burnt down in 2020. Many people had called the house their home, and after it burnt down he said it was the Sand Mandala of his life.

George lived out the rest of his exquisite life in Eileen’s exceptional and loving care.

George’s glowing spirit, humor, thoughtfulness and tremendous wit stayed intact until the very end. In his final hours, faced with the impossible task of saying goodbye, forever, he sat with his loved ones in tears and love filled silence. When there were no more words, he looked around and spontaneously started clapping, applauding his life, as if to say, “It’s been great! It’s been a good life!”

George is survived by his incredible wife, Eileen; his adoring daughters Vesper and Jovielle; his sons-in-law John Michael and Joel; his grandchildren Rasalas and Serena, and Mandala and Chakora; his bonus mom Betty, bonus sons Eric and Brian; and mother of his daughters Jennifer, her husband David and her siblings. George touched many lives and was loved deeply by countless friends.

Our beloved Tuga has caught his final cosmic wave out of here and is now onto his next great adventure. Mahalo Tuga, we love and miss you so much. You are forever and ever in our hearts.

There will be a celebration of George’s extraordinary life on Sunday July 26, 2026, from 1pm - 5pm at Rainbow Park in Crested Butte. Please bring a covered potluck dish, beverages will be provided.

Donations in George’s memory can be made to Living Journeys Community Cancer Support, https://livingjourneys.org, 426 Belleview Ave Suite 301, Crested Butte, CO 81224

“It’s not about how fast you swim, it’s about how good the water feels.” - George