Join us in a celebration of life for Billy Roos, a longtime member of the Outward Bound community

Saturday, December 12^th at 2 pm

American Mountaineering Center – Golden, CO

Celebration of life to be followed by gathering of friends and loved ones.

*There will be an open time for sharing during the celebration of life, if you would like to share a story, favorite memory or other remark.

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Billy Roos was a long-serving Outward Bound staff and a valued friend. Billy began his career with Outward Bound in January of 1973 with the Colorado Outward Bound School. He grew to run the winter mountaineering program and his influence extended far beyond. Billy was a skilled rock climber and alpine mountaineer, having traveled to the Himalayas on several expeditions.

His work with Outward Bound included field instructing and managing programs, work as a medical screener, and most recently, serving Outward Bound USA in the Safety Department. He occasionally described himself as having transitioned from rule breaker to rule maker. He may have been Outward Bound’s longest serving staff member. Billy was understated, humble, unflappable, accomplished and so experienced in the field. His sense of humor carried him and so many others through decades of service to Outward Bound. He will be missed.

In lieu of flowers or other gifts, donations may be made to the Billy Roos Expedition Grant as part of the Staff Development Fund at the Colorado Outward Bound School. Donations may be made by calling 303-676-8237 or by sending to COBS at 5161 Sheridan Blvd., Denver, CO 80212. Please be sure to indicate the Billy Roos Expedition Grant in your special instructions.

Billy was known for his epic expeditions throughout his life. Billy’s family and friends believe that through this expedition grant, his legacy will live on in the next generation of Outward Bound instructors and climbers. Billy was a pioneer and we hope to instill that same spirit in others.

Have a story or photo to share? Send it to [email protected] and we will post them here.

About the staff development fund
Since 1962, the Colorado Outward Bound School has led students through some of the wildest environments in the United States. Our staff paddle the great rivers of the Southwest, scramble through the rocky terrain of Colorado’s highest peaks, navigate the glaciated vastness of Alaska and summit some of the highest peaks of the Ecuadorian Andes.

We have long recognized that our staff are more than guides, educators or environmental managers. Tasked with a mission of “changing lives through challenge and discovery,” our instructors do just that, delivering a high quality, epic educational experience to each of our students.

The goal of the staff development fund is to give Colorado Outward Bound School instructors the opportunity to build their technical knowledge, to learn, adventure and grow as individuals, and to follow their passions. Ultimately, this fund allows staff to return season after season refreshed and inspired for their career as outdoor educators.

The fund supports the professional development of current COBS field staff members by making small grants to fund expeditions, training, and education experiences. Money for the fund is raised through individual donations. The fund makes individual grants of up to $500 and will disburse up to $2,000 annually.

The Billy Roos Expedition Grant will allow for field staff to further their career and skillset by planning a more extensive expedition with a larger grant of up to $1,000.

Cover photo by Hannah Trim

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