Jack Thomas Rummel, 85, passed away peacefully on March 10, 2025. He was born August 17, 1939 in Tacoma, WA to Bartlett and Augusta Place Rummel.
Jack graduated from Stadium High School, then the University of Puget Sound (UPS) and finally Oregon Health & Sciences University, graduating with a Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD). While in high school he shot rifles competitively, winning over 30 medals.
He met the love of his life Lynne Hartshorn Rummel at UPS. They loved to tell the story of how their first date was collecting pond scum samples for Biology class. That's true love.
They were married August 26, 1962.
Following dental school graduation, Jack enlisted in the Army. He served 4 years, the last 3 of which were in Germany. While in Germany, Jack and Lynne welcomed their two children: Gretchen (1966) and Tom (1968).
After the Army, Jack and his family settled in Boulder, Colorado because Lynne, who was from Denver, said 8 years in the rainy Northwest was enough.
Jack established his dental practice which he ran for nearly 40 years.
He was a kind, compassionate and fair dentist; his staff and patients staying with him for decades.
In 1972 Jack joined a Rotary Group Study Exchange program (GSE) to Wales for 6 weeks. Thus began his Rotary career and his love of Pembroke Welsh Corgis. Jack served as president of the Boulder Rotary Club, director of Rotary Youth Exchange for district 5450, and ultimately District Governor in 1995-96. He and his family hosted 6 exchange students, some of whom he was still in touch with. Later on he led a GSE team to Australia. In addition to all of his local charitable pursuits, he volunteered 5 times in Guatemala for a month each, caring for the dentistry needs of the indigenous Guatemalans.
Music was Jack's main passion outside of work.
He was an avid Ragtime piano player; something he began when he was 12. He recorded 3 CDs, created 3 folios of his own compositions and helped found the Rocky Mountain Ragtime Festival (1987-2002). In 1980 he began his Ragtime America program on Boulder station KGNU which he did for 44 years. In addition, he was a featured per former and MC at Ragtime festivals around the country from St. Louis and Sedalia, MO (the national home of Ragtime music) to Fresno and Sacramento, CA, to Evergreen and Boulder, CO.
Bluegrass was Jack's other musical passion.
He played the banjo nearly all his life star ting with folk music and progressing to bluegrass. He played with two main bands, Colorado Country for over 40 years and more recently Hwy 66. As children, Tom and Gretchen loved to listen to the spirited energy of the music. His sister Lynda still has a portfolio he made for her.
Model trains, particularly HO gauge, were Jack's other main hobby. His layouts always took up half the basement wherever they lived. He created the TLC (Tabernash Lumber Company) Railroad Line which ran continuously on his railroad in addition to the California Zephyr delivering people to the town. He was a member of the Boulder Model Railroad Club for many years, editing the newsletter up until his death. The club held regular competitions many of which he won.
He also had a small Z gauge set in his dental office that delighted adults and children alike for many years.
Lastly he had a passion for photography. He took a trip of a lifetime to Kenya doing a photo safari which produced an exquisite photo of cheetahs in a tree looking for lunch.
Jack was passionate about all his hobbies but his main passion was his family. He instilled a love of travel in his children which they continue today. He and Lynne visited over 70 countries together and took their grandchildren on trips to Guatemala, Disneyland, England & Wales and the Pacific Northwest.
Jack was predeceased by his parents, his wife of 60 years, Lynne, and brother-in-law Rolf Zerges. He is survived by his children Gretchen Dixon (Bob) of Longmont, CO and Tom Rummel (Kristee) of Austin, TX as well as 5 grandchildren, Paige Halliday (John) of Liverpool, England, Laura Dixon soon to be of Aarhus, Denmark, Amanda Dixon of Longmont, CO, Dylan and Austin Rummel of Austin, TX, sister Lynda Rummel Zerges of Keuka Park, NY and two sisters' in law Sue Patterson of Antigua, Guatemala, and Catherine Hartshorn of Berkeley, CA.
A Celebration of Life will be held in May. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to KGNU radio station, the Boulder Model Railroad Club, and TruCare Hospice.