Buena Vista and Chaffee County lost a leader and friend with the death of Charles âCharlieâ Forster, 72, following a long battle against a type of lymphoma cancer.
A family friend confirmed late Thursday that Forster, the former president of Collegiate Peaks Bank died peacefully Thursday at his home in Salida.
Better known as Charlie, Forster recently retired after a 50-year career in banking, the last 30 years in Chaffee County.
While banking was his business, he immediately became involved in his new community when he moved to Salida in 1985. For many years, he ran the Buena Vista Collegiate Peaks Bank.
He had an enduring commitment to health care and was inducted into the Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical Centerâs Hall of Fame in 2016.
Better known as “Charlie” to his coworkers and friends, Forster has been involved in community affairs and civic improvements in Salida, Buena Vista and Poncha Springs from the time he