Ralph Louis Burtis

June 5, 2020

Ralph Louis Burtis, 71 died Friday, June 5, 2020 in his Wellington home surrounded by the love of his wife, Susanne and his children, Ryan & Sarah. Born and raised on Long Island, NY, the son of Ben and Grace (Dornhoefer) Burtis. He remained there until 2018, when he relocated his family to Wellington, Colorado. From a young age Ralph spent his time on the water sailing, boating and fishing. After graduating from George W. Hewlett High School he attended Southampton college for two years until being drafted during the Vietnam War era. He served in the United States Army from 1970 until 1972 in Germany. After serving in the Army, he returned to New York, where he helped run and eventually took over the family plumbing, heating & air conditioning business, Haller & Burtis which later became Comfort Specialists. He would eventually sell that business and start Island Charters, a salt water fly fishing guide service. Several years later in his 50’s he built a successful business, R.L. Burtis Enterprises, Inc. which provided commercial and residential plumbing, heating & air conditioning services in the New York, tri-state area. Ralph was a devoted husband and father, a hard working business owner and always found time to balance the two. He was always up for a challenge and there was never a problem he couldn’t solve. He had an endless thirst for knowledge which he would share with anyone willing to listen. Ralph was diagnosed with kidney and prostate cancer in 2003. He would continue to battle various cancers for the next 17 years until 2020 when the combination of stage 4 renal cancer and leukemia would take his life. No funeral service will be held, due to Covid-19. There will be a private burial at Fort Logan Cemetery on June 9th. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Ralph to Trout Unlimited: https://gifts.tu.org/donate2?ms=MWL-WFO-WUNREST-S.