Kit Eldridge, age 56, a pillar of health and healthy lifestyle, died 16 months after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He died peacefully at home in the arms of Audrey Eldridge, his best friend of 35 years, and wife for 25 of those years. Theirs was a truly rare and amazing relationship. Kit was a resident of Colorado Springs since 1969 and graduated from Harrison High school. It was there that he was introduced to woodworking and construction which would lead to a lifetime of building people's dreams. Whether it was a custom designed southwestern home, or a custom designed piece of furniture, he channeled his creativity from the love he had for people, and the joy he derived from seeing their eyes light up when he completed a project that was even better than what they had envisioned. Kit was a perfectionistic craftsman who could build and/or fix anything; he embraced challenges with determination, competence, and a boyish excitement. Kit was a member of Ute Lakes Fishing Club, and contributed greatly to making the club what it is today; he dearly loved the time he spent there fly-fishing and building beautiful custom cabins. When he wasn't building things, fly-fishing, playing his guitars, or finding ways to help others; he and Audrey could be found tending to the koi ponds in their beautiful garden or scuba diving in the Caribbean. Kit is survived by his soulmate/wife Audrey, many dear and close friends, daughter Julie Odell (Brendon), sisters Suzanne Gardner (Glen) and Shari Anton (Bob) as well as 11 nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, and recently by his beloved dog 'Taos.' We would like to thank the amazing treatment team at University Hospital, under the leadership of Dr. Wells Messersmith, MD. Ninety-four percent of pancreatic cancer patients die within 5 years, and seventy-four percent will die within one year. Please help support pancreatic cancer research at the University of Colorado. Send a tax-deductible donation in honor of Kit to: Libby Printz; 13001 E. 17th Ave. F434, Aurora, CO 80045. Make checks payable to: University of Colorado Foundation. A celebration of Kit's life will be held on Saturday, January 14th, 2012, 6:00pm, at Colorado Springs Shrine Club; 6 S. 33rd Street; Colorado Springs, CO 80904 (Old Colorado City). - Gazette Telegraph