Harold Kaiser

Hal Kaiser, a self-made man from Kansas, died peacefully at his home in Denver, CO, on June 16, 2025, surrounded by the family he cherished. He chartered his own path to lead a highly successful life and raise a wonderful family. He is deeply loved and equally missed.

Hal was born September 30, 1939, in Kansas City, MO, to Leo Kaiser and Dorothy Younger. The Kaisers were opportunity seekers willing to take chances to build a better life – starting with Ludwig Kaiser, who travelled from the Ukraine to Kansas to participate in the U.S. Homestead Act.

Hal grew up in McPherson, KS, where, as a tall and lanky baseball player, he was known as “Satch.” Some nicknames happen in a moment and stick, and thereafter, “Satch” it was.

Although neither of his parents advanced beyond an eighth-grade education, Satch was determined to put himself through college, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in business from Emporia State University. Ever charming and enthusiastic, Satch sold wares door-to-door as a young man, cutting his teeth in sales in California before moving to Denver, where he became an expert in high finance. He earned a certificate from the Wharton School of Business and retired as an accomplished stockbroker with the firm RBC Dain Rauscher in 2009.

Satch married Carole Ellen Bell in 1965, and together they raised their family in a home full of laughter. He would say marrying Carole was the single most important decision he ever made. The two traveled extensively, and they spent every anniversary (most recently their 60th) at the Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs. True partners, they loved each other deeply until the very end.

Satch was a man of many hobbies, including fly fishing, bird hunting, golf, tennis, and anything to do with technology. He was an early adopter of what was then referred to as the “World Wide Web.” Later, Satch took great interest in his family lineage using that technology to research and to record and transcribe interviews. He visited Alsace, France, and then co-wrote a book called the Kaiser Family History.

A voracious reader, Satch kept current with the news and tore through novels and nonfiction alike. The man craved and devoured the written word. His curious mind was present throughout his life.

Satch approached life with vigorous enthusiasm, and he encouraged those he loved and respected to do the same. It was important to him to make people feel welcome and to keep it fun, whatever it was.

Hal Kaiser – Satch – was one of five children and is missed and remembered and revered by Carole, his loving wife of 60 years, his 4 kids and their spouses —Kourtney Glor, Kandice Dougherty (Joe Dougherty), Paige Smith (Jeff Smith), and Barrett Kaiser – as well as 8 wonderful grandchildren, his brother Tom Kaiser and sister Imogene Gagliardi, and numerous nieces and nephews.