Colorado’s U.S. Rep. Joe Neguse has honored the life of a recently deceased World War II veteran and Vail valley resident with an entry into the congressional record.

Sanford Morris “Sandy” Treat Jr. trained for winter and mountain warfare at Colorado’s Camp Hale, eventually returning to the state and becoming “a beloved member of the community,” according to a statement this week from Neguse’s office.

He was an avid ski racer and was eventually inducted into the Colorado Snowsports Hall of Fame. Additionally, he advocated for policy to protect public lands, according to the statement.

“Sandy was one of the first soldiers at Camp Hale, which was established during the Second World War to train soldiers for winter and mountain warfare,” Neguse said. “The skills he honed there and exposure to the Mountain West would stay with him through war, future business endeavors and raising a family. He returned to Colorado so many years later as a master skier, historian of the 10th Mountain Division, and beloved resident.

“Sandy’s loss will be felt by so many across the state of Colorado, military and snow-sports communities.”

Treat, 96, died Sept. 1 in Vail of natural causes, according to an obituary in the Vail Daily.

Partially in Treat’s honor, Neguse introduced a bill earlier this year that would make Camp Hale the first-ever national historical landscape.