Obituary of Joel David Saslaw

Our hearts are broken to share with you the news that Joel David Saslaw unexpectedly passed away Saturday, August 1, 2026, in Golden, CO. At the time of his death, he was in his happy place - the Colorado Railroad Museum, having just completed a successful run of the 1899 Rio Grand Southern Narrow Gauge, No. 20. He was relaxing with his friends there - his fellow volunteers - when he experienced a massive heart attack. EMTs quickly arrived and transported him to the emergency room, but he never regained consciousness.

Joel was born on October 13, 1987, in Bakersfield, CA to mother Ann Pederson Saslaw and father Lawrence Robin Saslaw. He graduated from Liberty High School a choir member and champion tennis player. After school, he worked at the Bakersfield Raquet Club running drills for kids taking lessons there. An injury put an end to his dream of a sports career but opened a new opportunity to pursue degrees in education and history, which he soon discovered were his deep vocational passions. He earned his bachelor's in history at Sacramento State in 2010, and his Masters in Higher Education at the University of the Pacific in 2013. He was a member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. After graduating, he mentored young university men through SigEp's Building Balanced Men program, and served as its regional governor for Colorado, Wyoming, and previously, Utah. His career in higher education took him to many campuses around the country; first, as the property manager for the University of Kentucky, and then as the property manager for the Gamma Phi Beta sorority's Illinois, Ohio and Michigan chapters.

He worked for the national sorority while stationed in Denver, which he ultimately considered his home. He loved virtually every aspect of Denver life. He was a regular at Coors Stadium (mostly to see the Dodgers...) and kept a cool head (for the most part) umping for the South Suburban Recreation District softball leagues. When that season ended, he time-kept for the district's basketball games.

Last spring, he made the decision to return to his history/education roots and took a long-term sub position at Excel Academy in Arvada. He loved the students and would regale us constantly with stories of their achievements (and their antics). In four months' time, he was offered a full-time position teaching 6th and 7th grade history and social studies. His first day was to have been August 4th.

Joel is preceded in death by mother Ann, and survived by father Larry, stepmom Jill Egland, and stepsister Amelia Egland. He also leaves behind a baseball league of cousins, nieces and nephews, friends, fraternity brothers, colleagues, and the great love of his life, his partner, Joshua Kappel.

Graveside service will be held Sunday, August 9, 2026, at 10 am, Golden Hill Cemetery, 12000 W. Colfax Ave., Lakewood. A livestream of the service will be available on the Feldman Mortuary YouTube Channel. Later, at 6pm, a celebration of his life will be held at the Colorado Railroad Museum in Golden. All are welcome.

Joel, you were a light in our lives. May your memory be a blessing.