Bob Baumgartner, a pottery master who led thousands of singles hikes around Boulder, playing matchmaker for countless couples over the last 25 years, died hiking near Carbondale on Thursday.

He was 73.

Pitkin County authorities told The Aspen Times that Baumgartner was found unconscious near the summit of 13,000-foot Mount Sopris.

Two women hiking the mountain spotted him just after midday and attempted CPR with help from dispatchers giving instructions over the phone, but they were unable to revive him, officials said.

Mountain Rescue Aspen and a helicopter crew from the High Altitude Aviation Training Site assisted with the recovery operations.

The Pitkin County Coroner ruled Friday that Baumgartner died of coronary artery disease.

Jim Disinger, Baumgartner’s friend of three decades and frequent hiking partner, called the man many knew as “Hiking Bob” a “great, gentle spirit, and a friend to everybody that knew him.”

“He died in a perfect place, on a perfect day,” Disinger said. “He called me and texted me when he was at the trailhead, and he was having a great, great time.”

Friends say that Baumgartner loved to hike above all else. Just below that passion were loves of pottery — his work was frequently displayed in Denver’s Kirkland Museum, among other places — and community.

Though he was single, he cherished the chance to unite people over 25 years and more than 3,000 excursions with Boulder Singles Hikes.

“One of his joys was introducing hiking to many people who had never hiked before,” longtime friend Judi Dressler said. “Another great joy for him was matching up singles, many of whom ended up getting married and in relationships.”

In addition to the many trips he led with Boulder Singles Hikes, Baumgartner’s career also included summits of every fourteener in Colorado and more than 60 solo backpacking trips through Utah.

He is survived by his brother and two sisters.

Friends are in the process of planning a memorial service for Baumgartner, but nothing has been scheduled yet.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Alex Burness: 303-473-1389, burnessa@dailycamera.com or twitter.com/alex_burness