Born in Kansas in 1899, Ervin Hinds, in his lifetime, was both an athlete and a doctor of excellence. Following high school and service in World War I, Hinds attended what is now Colorado State University, where boxing was his favorite sport. He never lost a bout in four years and became conference champion. He also played football as an end for three years and was selected All-Rocky Mountain Conference in each of his last two seasons. In addition, he earned three letters in baseball and two in basketball and was elected president of the school’s student body.
Upon his graduation in 1923, Hinds coached two years at Eaton High School and then served as Athletic Director for the Colorado School of Mines, where he also coached baseball and football.
Another career beckoned, and he graduated from the University of Colorado Medical School in 1934, he then joined the Army Medical Corps as captain for service in World War II. After four years of service, Lieutenant Colonel Hinds became chief surgeon of the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad in 1947. His achievements in medicine are numerous, including being chief of staff at St. Joseph’s Hospital, associate professor of surgery at the Colorado University Medical Center; president of the voluntary staff of Denver General Hospital, and consultant in surgery at both Fitzsimmons and the Veteran’s Administration Hospitals.
He served as president and trustee of the Colorado Medical Society, held office in the Denver Academy of Surgery, was a national director of the American Cancer Society and president of the Colorado Division. He was also selected the outstanding alumnus of Colorado State University in 1945.
Dr. Hinds died in 1966, at the age of 67, and in 1976, was inducted posthumously into the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame. He and his wife Pauline had one son and one daughter.
He never lost a bout in four years and became conference champion.