Dustin Quesenberry
Obituaries
Vail Daily page 4 - December 27, 1995
Memorial services for BMHS student scheduled for today
A memorial service for Dustin Quesenberry, who died Friday following a car accident, will be held at 11 a.m. today at Battle Mountain High School.
The 16-year-old high school junior suffered head injuries and was airlifted to Denver after his vehicle rolled early Thursday morning. Quesenberry lost control of his father's car on Interstate 70 westbound near the Eagle exit.
Pastor Bernie Masimer of Redeemer Foursquare Gospel Church in Edwards will conduct the service. Following the memorial, Quesenberry will be buried at Sunset View Cemetery in Eagle.
Quesenberry's close friend and classmate Kathy Kytola will speak today. Kytola is editor of the school newspaper, the Husky Howl. Quesenberry recently contributed an article to the paper on his work with special education students, said Dustin's father, Bruce "Quiz" Quesenberry.
"He devoted lots of his time to helping the kids," Quesenberry said. "There was so much he was contributing."
Duistin was an avid skier, Quesenberry said, and father and son played softball on the same team. Dustin's grade-point average put him on the honor roll.
Dustin had a gift for working with special education students, including some who were severely handicapped, said Erik Fredell, Battle Mountain High School principal. Fredell described the boy as independent, outgoing and capable.
"We had really seen Dusty grow up at Battle Mountain. This was his best year as a student,." Fredell said. "He was just starting to hit his stride.
"Dustin was a real happy young man. He always had a smile on his face. We're going to miss that smile and the warmth in the halls."
Teach Nancy Bell, who will speak at the memorial service, worked with Dustin when she was chair of the Special Education Department at Battle Mountain High School. Dustin served in the classroom and as a junior coach for Special Olympics.
"He was a very gentle, caring boy," Bell said. "He brought a lot of laughter to one of the kids' life. He would play hacky sack for him."
Bell said Dustin was very bright and loved to debate ethical dilemmas.
"He would really argue for the underdog," she said.
Quesenberry is survived by his father, who lives in Eagle, and by his mother, Kim Briscoe of Ridgeway, Colo. Sisters Belinda Wilson and Lori Herlea live in Colorado Springs.
Other survivors are stepmother Elizabeth Quesenberry and stepbrothers Steven and Nathan Vigil of Eagle; stepbrother Justin Briscoe of Ridgeway; grandfather Don Nelson of Poncha Springs, Colo,; and grandmother Evelyn Fuentes of El Monte, Calif.
Bruce Quesenberry was concerned about reports that Colorado State Patrol troopers who who responded to the accident suspected drug or alcohol use. Capt. Fred Bitterman of the CSP reported Tuesday that blood alcohol tests were negative.
Memorial contributions for Dustin Quesenberry may be sent to Farnum-Holt Funeral Home at 405 W. Seventh St., Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
