Adam Sleek was a very good friend of mine. I first met him when I was in the 4th grade and I last talked to him about 3 months before he passed away. He was a very weird and fun guy to know and he made friends wherever he went. I used to watch movies with him, go to his band performances, talk with him about many different things and of course, yell at him for messing up my house. I remember the first time that I met Adam. I charged him $5 to watch “The Green Berret” (John Wayne). I was probably 12 years old and he was 16 or so. We became friends over time. We partied together, we played instruments together, I helped him with his computer education a little, we were even roomates for a period of time in Boulder. Memories of Adam with all of my friends and I in the gunbarrel estates area take up a very large part of my total life-long memories and I’m very sorry to not be able to have any more good times with my good friend Adam.

I only met his son once when he was a little boy and I met his ex-wife when they first got married. I wish them both very well and if Devon has half of the interesting life that Adam had, he should be a very happy and worldly adult some day.

I couldn’t find Adam’s obituary anywhere - the funeral house took it offline after 30 days, so I emailed them and managed to get a copy of it again. Here’s his obituary:

Adam David Sleek, of Honolulu Hawaii, formerly of Longmont Colorado, went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on November 6, 2004. He was 39 years old.

The son of Sewell “bud” and Elaine Sleek of Erie, Co, Adam was born on June 21, 1965 in New York, NY. Adam lived a short time in Newburgh, New York before moving to Colorado where he spent most of his life. He attended Niwot schools and graduated from The Denver Academy, and then went on to earn his associates degree from Front Range Community College.

Bright and creative, Adam perceived and approached life in an innovative style uniquely his own. He had a passion for music and composed songs and lyrics, played bass guitar and performed vocally for a number of area bands including The Fourth Republic. He loved his son Devon, neice Jordan and nephew Christian, and enjoyed playing original and imaginative games with them. He also enjoyed creating exotic culinary dishes which he would enthusiastically share with adventurous friends and family members. His other interests included collecting antique books, reading avidly and writing poetry.

Adam had a varied and interesting professional life. He was a certified computer network analyst and worked for a time at Rocky Mountain Christian church assisting with systems administration. He was a shift manager for Zone Cab in Denver and also received his EMT certificate. In Honolulu, Adam did security work at the airport.

Most importantly, Adam had a real and personal faith in Jesus Christ. He contributed his musical and technical talents to various congregations including Rocky Mountain Christian church, where he was a member.

We miss his unique contribution and creative energy. His hope was in the Lord, and as Christians, we are confident that we will see him again in heaven.

Adam is survived by his son Devon Harrison Sleek of Arvada, Co; parents Bud and Elaine Sleek of Erie, Co; sister Jennifer Sleek-Klevdal, brother-in-law Stein Klevdal, neice and nephew, Jordan and Christian Klevdal of Niwot, Co; and grandmother, Grace Agnew of Orlando, FL.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM Friday, November 12, 2004 at Rocky Mountain Christian Church at 9447 Niwot Road in Niwot. Memorial contributions can be made to the Devon Sleek education fund in care of Ahlberg Funeral Chapen, 326 Terry Street, Longmont, Co 80501

The memorial service for Adam was very nice. It was great hearing from all of his friends and family again and reminding me of how wonderful Adam was and what a good friend he was over the past 24 years of my life. Several members of “The Forth Republic” made it to the funeral and we had a good time talking about Adam and what a great and at the same time weird and wonderful guy he was.

Here are some of the comments that were made on the funeral chappel website from some of his aquaintences:

Dear Bud, Elaine and Jennifer,

Our sincerest condolences to you from the Boles’ family.

Alan & Betty Boles Concord, North Carolina Friends

I’m very sorry to hear about Adam. I spent a large part of my life with Adam and I feel that he was one of my very best friends. My family and I will definately be at the memorial service on Friday. Our hearts go out to you and your family - Adam was a very wonderful person and I’ll miss his friendship very much.

Steven & Holly Webb Longmont, Co Friend

Dear Jennifer and Family, My mother passed along the sad news about Adam and I wanted to send our deepest condolences for your loss.

Cyndi Boman Thompson Portland, Oregon friend

I met Adam in 1988 when we joined the fourth republic. This band was unlike any other I’ve been in, this wasn’t a business relationship, we were like family, the brothers we never had. You could do anything, move anywhere, it didn’t matter, when you came back, you were not forgotten, you were accepted. Adam was a gifted bass player, vocalist, and a prolific, soulful lyricist. He did a passable job on piano and guitar too. The last songs we recorded were probably in 2002, I had always assumed that it was just a matter of time before we’d once again regroup and pick up where we left off. We’d spent a lot of time together, sharing dreams and some of the best times of my life. I’d be a different person today if I hadn’t met Adam. There’s a hole in my heart. He will be missed.

Brian Kauffman Nederland, CO Friend, band-mate

Bud, Elaine, Jennifer, and Devon, I am saddened to here of Adam’s death and sorry that I am unable to share this time with you. Adam’s stories and experiences while I was with him will always be with me and still are told to those who never knew Adam. What a spirit for life he has. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. God be with you until you meet again.

Jeffery M. Saxton Omaha, NE Old Friend

Dear Bud and Elaine, Adam was so much a part of our life while living on Parklane, that I have him in my thoughts many times even now. His creativity and energy gave us many hours of entertainment. I can only say how sorry I am at his death. My deepest sympathy to both of you.

Mary Saxton Burlington, IA Friend and neighbor

It was a privilege to know Adam and spend close to 14 years creating music with him. He was one of the most gifted and natural musicians I have ever played with. But more than that, he was one of the most genuine and passionate people I have known.

Adam came to the Fourth Republic in 1988 and instantly put his mark on our style of music. Being a big Alarm fan and U2 fan like myself, we would spend hours discussing the merits of these bands. These discussions helped form the style of the Fourth Republic.

In 1998, after one of the many Fourth Republic hiatuses, Adam stepped up and became the lead singer of the band. Even after playing with him for almost 10 years, I had no idea he had this great voice and was such a wonderful lyrist. Adam would come up with wonderful images and words off the top of his head. I truly feel his lyrics are in the league of a Dylan or Bono Hewson. It was during this period that I really got to know Adam. We used to commute together from Denver to Boulder for rehearsals. During the ride we would talk about everything. From music to religion you could always count on Adam to have a passionate opinion. He would make you think of things from a new perspective and you were better off for it.

Adam was full of love. He loved his Lord, he loved his son, he loved his parents and he loved his friends. If the world could just have an ounce of his love there would be no problems.

As Brian stated in his message, I too always felt that it would only be a matter of time when we would pick up our guitars and pick up right where we left off. I hope in heaven they have guitars and drums because if we are privileged enough to join Adam in heaven, one of the first things I want to do is plug in and play with my Fourth Republic brother.

I am lucky; I have hours of tapes containing Adam singing his songs so I will always have Adam with me. He left quite a legacy of wonderful music and everybody that has heard it is touched in some way. I hope this continues.

Adam was my friend, my band mate, and my brother. I will miss him dearly.

Andy Prebish Playa del Carmen Mexico Band Mate

Bud, Elaine & Jennifer,

Very saddened about your loss of Adam. He was blessed with such a wonderful, dear family and many will share in your grief. Praying for your comfort -

Teresa Walker Broomfield Friend

May our Lord comfort you at this time of loss.

Irene Eggers San Diego, CA Friend of parents

Bud and Elaine

Angie and I were out of town a while, so we’re a little late on the news. We’re so sorry. We wish we would have been here to attend the services to offer a little more support and love. We offer our best to the family, and our hopes your son has found a kinder existence. His soul sounded good, and we believe what energies you create in this reality is all you carry forth with you, so we shall smile for him in that he left with no ill will, but rather grace and kindness.

Bruce & Angelina Bucholz Longmont, CO Associate of Bud

I just heard the news and am shocked. I still dont know what happened, but have to write to the parents of Adam to offer condolences. I loved Adam dearly. He was a great friend to me for many years. We have made music, talked, philosophised…. I have so many fond memories of him. Even at times when Adam could be at his most overbearing, all one could do was just love him more. He was such a unique individual. I remember back in the 80’s when he and I were making music in the living room of our Boulder home; He was on Bass and I was on guitar. We were being joyfull in the Lord and all I could see around me, written on our faces and everything around were the words, “Heaven is ours” I remember that vividly to this day. We were so happy in the Lord, praising him….We knew that we had salvation and were praising with music. There are so many memories. I love him. I only wish I could have spoken to him again. We had parted company in 1996 in a bad way. I wish I could have hugged him and told him that I was sorry for my bad actions. I pray for you all, especially for his parents, siblings and most of all Devon. God bless you.

Michael C. Buckman (Maynard) Knoxville Tn. Friend

Adam’s cause of death is still unknown. His father told me at the funeral that when he was found, he had already been dead for some time. The corroner had ruled-out foul play and there is a chance that they may never know. Adam had some health problems and it may be that his body just gave up. I’ll post an update if/when I find anything out, but we may never know.

If you knew of/about Adam and didn’t get to go to the funeral, feel free to leave a posting about your memories with Adam. I’m sure that it will be enjoying to hear about how Adam affected the people in his life.

• Steve Webb

p.s. Adam had some good ties with hospital and EMT people and he was always happy to pull a fast one over on people - something in the back of my mind keeps telling me that he may possibly have faked his death and is running around Hawaii using an alias and living a wonderful life … at least that’s how I prefer to think about it. :)

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