Don Beuthel
Don Beuthel has been collecting stamps for as long as he can remember. His father was an avid collector introduced Beuthel to the hobby. The childhood pastime turned into a lifelong interest, and Beuthel’s 75,000-piece collection has connected him to the rest of the world.
“Stamps are mirrors of a country. By collecting worldwide stamps, I get to learn more about each country,” says Beuthel, BSBA ’51, MA education ’58.
There’s always something new that I want to find. The lure of the search and successfully completing that search keeps me going,” he adds, noting that his favorite searches include materials for his ice hockey and computer stamp collections.
Beuthel’s passion extends further than his own collection, however. Following his retirement in 1984, Beuthel began meeting with fellow collectors and discussing the need for a philatelic library in Denver, where collectors could gather to learn, talk and research.
In 1993, Beuthel and his peers founded the Rocky Mountain Philatelic Library (RMPL). The library has quickly become the stamp-collecting center of the Rocky Mountain region with roughly 400 members, 11,500 books, 100,000 periodical issues and 11,500 auction catalogs. The user-friendly library serves as a location for several local club meetings, including a monthly Kids Club meeting and classes for adults.
Beuthel, who served as president for 10 years, is the operations manager. His wife, Ellengail, BA Spanish ’51, MA librarianship ’62, has served as a librarian since RMPL’s inception. Ron Mitchell, BA mass communication ’63, is the current president.
Beuthel says the library’s development has made their efforts worthwhile.
“We’re very proud that the library has become so successful and that it is recognized as a helpful, friendly place where people can research and learn more about stamps.”