DENVER – The University of Denver hockey program mourns the loss of former Pioneers defenseman Randy Ward, who passed away on May 9 at the age of 78.
 
Ward played three years at Denver from 1966 and 1969, helping the Pioneers win back-to-back National Championships in his final two seasons. Denver dispatched North Dakota 4-0 in 1968 in Duluth, Minnesota, before holding off Cornell in a 4-3 victory in 1969 in Colorado Springs.
 
The Calgary, Alberta, native suited up in 84 games in crimson and gold and registered 46 points on 12 goals and 34 assists in his career.
 
Following his time on the DU hilltop, Ward continued his other passions of the outdoors and farming. A gifted cattleman, he hunted and fished across North America and was also an avid golfer, who held course records and holes-in-one too numerous to count.
 
Born on Jan. 25, 1947, Randy is survived by his wife Marilyn, sons Jeff & Andrew (Allison) and his four grandchildren, Kalen & Keira (Jeff), Declan & Liam (Andrew), brother and sister in-law Peter & Nita Burdon, Judith Paquet along with numerous nephews, nieces and cousins.
 
A memorial service is being held on Monday, May 26 at 2 p.m. MT at Eden Brook Funeral Home, 24223 Township Road 242, Calgary, AB T3Z 3K2. To join the service remotely, go to https://youtube.com/live/ZwzeIT7ELV8?feature=share.
 
In lieu of flowers and if so desired, please consider a donation in Randy's honor to The Summit: Marian & Jim Sinneave Centre for Youth Resilience, Alberta Children's Hospital Foundation (https://www.childrenshospital.ab.ca/).