Carl 'Skip' Rapp

Carl “SKIP” Rapp, of Boulder, Colorado passed away January 28th, 2025, at 87 years old. Skip died with his wife Mari Madeira Rapp and daughter Alexandra Madeira Rapp by his side. On the day he passed he was surrounded by family and friends. Skip was born in Schenectady, NY, to Helen Engle and Charles Rapp. Skip attended Not Terrace High School and won a track scholarship to Princeton University. During his time at Princeton, he joined ROTC and later went on to become a fighter pilot for the Marines. Skip had the time of his life flying for the Marines. While in the reserves he attended graduate school at Stanford University. After graduating Stanford, he worked for TWA for two years before moving out west and landing in the ski industry. Skip soon found his passion in the ski business working for companies such as Hanson Boots, San Marcos Boots, Obermeyer Ski Wear, & Skyr. Using his passion of the industry, Skip founded the skiwear company Hard Corps. Hard Corps was a cutting-edge brand for men and women that helped bring new insulating textiles to the ski world. Skip soon became a titan in the industry and forever cemented his name in the business. As an avid athlete, Skip also found and developed the love of cycling. In Boulder, Skip began riding with the legendary group, the Gut Grinders, which he rode with for 40 years. As a group, they got to ride in Italy, Spain, France (where they were able to ride parts of the Tour De France route) and around the southwestern United States. Skip loved life and lived each day with optimism, humor, love, grit and resiliency. He was an adventurer, a mentor, a businessman, a scholar and a mensch. He had three adoring children and got to spend 40 years with the love of his life. Skip will be missed by many, and he will not soon be forgotten. Skip is survived by his wife Mari Madeira Rapp, his daughter Alexandra Rapp, his son Adam Rapp, his stepson Ashton Fitchtl, and his sister Judy Jellinek. Skip’s celebration of life will be held at the Boulder Jewish Community Center on March 10, 2025 at 3:00pm.