James Howell
Well-known Member
Larry Coltrin, who for decades raised horses and produced hay on a Schaumburg-area farm as the village and surrounding communities rapidly developed around him, died Monday while snorkeling in the Florida Keys, authorities said.
Coltrin, 72, fell unconscious while in the Dry Tortugas, a national park about 70 miles west of Key West accessed by boat or airplane, according to the Monroe County sheriff"s office. He later was pronounced dead. An autopsy is pending.
Coltrin had lived on a farmstead along Long Avenue near the southwest corner of Schaumburg in unincorporated Cook County since the early 1960s.
He had an arrangement with Schaumburg to maintain the village"s 54-acre Murzyn-Anderson property at the intersection of Irving Park and Rodenburg roads. In return, he had the right to produce hay and graze his horses there, Schaumburg Village Manager Brian Townsend said Tuesday.
Coltrin"s former daughter-in-law, Krista Coltrin of nearby Roselle, said he and his late wife, Audrey, raised their family on the land long before the Schaumburg of today was developed.
"Going into town meant Roselle," Krista Coltrin said. "They loved their property and had no intention of leaving it until they had to. And they never had to."
A licensed pilot, Coltrin became patriarch of an aviation-loving family and also collected about 20 antique tractors which he used to farm his land.
Krista Coltrin"s 22-year-old daughter is also a professional in horse hoof care who helped her grandfather with the horses on his own property.
"He absolutely adored his family," Krista Coltrin said. "For him, laughter and having a good time and living life were the most important things."
Even in mourning his loss, the family has taken comfort knowing Coltrin spent his last day doing one of the things he loved most, his daughter-in-law said.
Townsend met with Coltrin last year, and they had a cordial conversation about Coltrin"s life in the area and future plans for the property. Though he told Townsend he"d begun to think about retirement, he had still not made any firm plans in that direction.
"When I read the story (of Coltrin"s death) I couldn"t believe it because he was a guy that had a lot of energy," Townsend said. "He was still living life. I walked away from that meeting thinking he was a really nice guy."
Coltrin talked a lot about his family, his grandchildren in particular, Townsend said.
Krista Coltrin said funeral services won"t be arranged until after the medical examiner in Florida completes the autopsy. Coltrin is survived by his brother, Tim, children, Christopher and Kimberly, and four grandchildren.
Coltrin, 72, fell unconscious while in the Dry Tortugas, a national park about 70 miles west of Key West accessed by boat or airplane, according to the Monroe County sheriff"s office. He later was pronounced dead. An autopsy is pending.
Coltrin had lived on a farmstead along Long Avenue near the southwest corner of Schaumburg in unincorporated Cook County since the early 1960s.
He had an arrangement with Schaumburg to maintain the village"s 54-acre Murzyn-Anderson property at the intersection of Irving Park and Rodenburg roads. In return, he had the right to produce hay and graze his horses there, Schaumburg Village Manager Brian Townsend said Tuesday.
Coltrin"s former daughter-in-law, Krista Coltrin of nearby Roselle, said he and his late wife, Audrey, raised their family on the land long before the Schaumburg of today was developed.
"Going into town meant Roselle," Krista Coltrin said. "They loved their property and had no intention of leaving it until they had to. And they never had to."
A licensed pilot, Coltrin became patriarch of an aviation-loving family and also collected about 20 antique tractors which he used to farm his land.
Krista Coltrin"s 22-year-old daughter is also a professional in horse hoof care who helped her grandfather with the horses on his own property.
"He absolutely adored his family," Krista Coltrin said. "For him, laughter and having a good time and living life were the most important things."
Even in mourning his loss, the family has taken comfort knowing Coltrin spent his last day doing one of the things he loved most, his daughter-in-law said.
Townsend met with Coltrin last year, and they had a cordial conversation about Coltrin"s life in the area and future plans for the property. Though he told Townsend he"d begun to think about retirement, he had still not made any firm plans in that direction.
"When I read the story (of Coltrin"s death) I couldn"t believe it because he was a guy that had a lot of energy," Townsend said. "He was still living life. I walked away from that meeting thinking he was a really nice guy."
Coltrin talked a lot about his family, his grandchildren in particular, Townsend said.
Krista Coltrin said funeral services won"t be arranged until after the medical examiner in Florida completes the autopsy. Coltrin is survived by his brother, Tim, children, Christopher and Kimberly, and four grandchildren.
