Jan Knak Jepsen

Jan Knak Jepsen passed away peacefully yet unexpectedly at home after experiencing a cardiac event. Jan was born in Frederiksberg, Denmark to Lissa Mortensen and Helge (Jeppe) Knak Jepsen. When his sister Pia was born, the family moved to Hillerød, where Jan attended elementary school. Jan’s family moved to Skævinge in his early teens where he quickly made friends who played soccer and handball and spent time at his home playing pool and tuning mopeds.

After graduating from Københavns Teknikum (Copenhagen University College of Engineering) in June, 1980, Jan began his electrical engineering career, which evolved into a professional life in the technology sector, managing technology projects around the globe, including U.S. embassies in Togo and Egypt. His passport became so well-stamped that it needed an extension of pages. He was a driven and inspirational leader who continually advanced his training and skills. After retiring in 2023, he maintained his leadership skills through membership in Project Management Institute, mentoring non-profit leaders in IT projects.

He married Cynthia Sheely on November 14, 1981 in Copenhagen. In pursuit of international careers, they moved to Orange County, California, then Houston, Texas where their two sons were born. They settled in Græsted, Denmark 1986-96, then moved to Menlo Park, California in 1997 and in 1999 to Denver, Colorado. Jan attained full US citizenship May 26, 2016 and held admiration for American values, although he remained deeply culturally Danish at heart.

Jan was a man of great resilience and vitality. As a prostate cancer survivor, he dedicated many years of service to The Urology Center of Colorado (TUCC) Foundation, volunteering to support prostate cancer research and advocacy. He found balance through his practice of yoga and his love for the outdoors, often frequenting hot springs throughout Colorado. An accomplished athlete and avid cyclist, he was an active member of his cycling organizations, logging more than 18,000 kilometers with a total elevation of 98,398 feet in 2025. His discipline and passion were evidenced by his successful completion of Colorado’s Triple Bypass bicycle race six times and the Marmotte Grandfondo in the Alps. Jan found great peace in nature, especially during cherished summers on the beaches of Denmark.

Jan was known by family, friends and colleagues as a good listener and problem solver, as well as for his warmth, hospitality and generosity. He was a devoted son to his father and shared 44 years of marriage with his wife, Cindy, building a life defined by partnership and love. He was a steady support for his sons and found his greatest joy in his role as a doting, involved grandfather to his granddaughters, Charlotte and Olivia.

He is survived by his wife and two sons, John (Laura) of Denver and David (Stephanie) of Malmø, Sweden and granddaughters Charlotte and Olivia. His father Jeppe and sister Pia, Uncle Ib, along with in-laws Doris, David (Amy), Laureen (Gabriel), Deanna (Joseph) and many nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews also survive him. Jan was preceded in death by his mother, Uncle Ole, and brother-in-law Steen.

Colorado Remembrance and Danish Service

A Celebration of Life will be held Sunday, March 8, 2026, 2-4 p.m. at Hudson Gardens Bloom Room, 6115 S. Santa Fe Drive, Littleton, CO. The family welcomes all who knew and loved Jan to attend and share in his memory.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Prostate Cancer Research Institute or American Heart Association in Jan’s honor.

Jan’s Danish Memorial Service will be held at Skaevinge Church in early summer.

Those we love don’t go away.
They walk beside us everyday.
Unseen, unheard, but always near,
Still loved, still missed, and held so dear.

(Anonymous)

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