Obituary of Kristy Anne Schloss

Kristy Anne Schloss, born January 22, 1963, in Denver, Colorado, passed away after years of declining health, on April 25, 2024, at the age of 61.

In fourth grade, Kristy was given an assignment to fill in the blanks on a series of questions, one of which was “My future life..”, to which Kristy wrote “I hope will be exciting”.  And it was!  As an adolescent, she finished another homework essay saying “whatever I choose to be, my goal is to be an expert in my field and my dream is to someday be remembered for what I’ve done”.  As Kristy accomplished one thing after another in her life, she not only achieved but exceeded all her goals and dreams.

Kristy was not only known for her countless achievements and her brilliant mind, but her generous smile and exceptional quick wit. 

With her Civil Engineering degree and a Distinguished Engineering Alumni Award from the CU  Boulder, Kristy joined her father, Charles M. Schloss Jr, in business, ultimately assuming the role of President and CEO of Schloss Engineered Equipment. In charge of the only woman-owned  engineering manufacturing firm in the country, Kristy helped the company expand into the global market, for which she received an Export Achievement Certificate from the U.S. Department of Commerce, a National Exporter of the Year Award from the Small Business Administration, and the Governor’s Award for Excellence in Exporting. 

In addition to engineering, Kristy was an author and an advocate for the environment, small business, international business, education and local community efforts.  She was a graduate of Leadership Denver and served on numerous boards of directors.  She was a Fellow of the Society of Women Engineers and a member of several other engineering societies.  She was invited to Chair the University of Colorado’s Engineering Advisory Council and Executive Committee, as well as to serve on the Board of the University’s Women in Engineering program.  She served as Co-Chair of the Colorado Delegation to the White House Conference on Small Business and was appointed to the Colorado State Board for Community Colleges and Occupational Education. 

Kristy served as Chair of the Board of Directors of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, Denver Branch and was appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce to chair the U.S. Department of Commerce Rocky Mountain District Export Council, and to serve on the U.S. Department of Commerce Environmental Technologies Trade Advisory Committee.  She participated on a committee of President Obama’s Presidential Economic Recovery Advisory Board and as a trustee or member of at least four other regional, national and/or global advisory boards. 

These are but a few of the most notable of Kristy’s countless distinctions, awards and appointments.  She was truly an inspiring Renaissance woman who impacted many lives and was never without her excellent wit and full engagement in everything she did.  Again from her essay: “My parents believed in setting goals and achieving them, only to set higher ones, and to always try your hardest in everything. This philosophy is one of my foundational beliefs.” Quite an achiever for a Who’s Who Worldwide and Who’s Who in Science & Engineering.  She achieved all her highest goals and then some.

Kristy will be deeply missed by all who knew her, worked with her, and laughed with her.  She is survived by her sister Sindi Schloss Romanella (Jerry), brother Charles M. Schloss III “Chic” and his two children, Charles “Charlie” M. Schloss IV and Isaac M. Schloss.

Inurnment will take place on Friday, August 16, 2024 at 2pm at Emanuel Cemetery, the Jewish section of Fairmount cemetery. To find the exact spot, enter through the main entrance of Fairmount (430 S. Quebec St, Denver) and go up the main drive. Turn right at the Little Ivy chapel, and you will see an obelisk with "Lipe" inscribed on it to your left. Drive through that entrance, and the plot will be on your right. Look for a tent and chairs set up. Parking will be available on the main paved road.