Alan Tyler Bortle

Born November 8, 1935, to mother Ruth and father George Bortle, he was raised in Broomall,

PA. At his elementary school, he met his wife-to-be, Patricia Dawn Bortle. Every childhood story

he told involved basketball... even when talking about his sister’s love of horses and his

brother’s efforts with the chickens on the family farm. He attended Marple Newtown High School

where he was in choir, was voted ‘Athlete of the Year,’ lettered in both basketball and

football, and planned school dances. He attended college at The Pennsylvania State University,

and then transferred to Susquehanna University to be with Patricia. They were married in 1956.

In 1958, the newlyweds moved to California, and then quickly to San Antonio, TX, and

Heilbronn, Germany, where Alan was stationed with the U.S. Army, as both a medic and

basketball player. During their year and a half abroad, they welcomed their firstborn, Karen.

The pair bought their first home in Santa Ana, CA, in 1960, later moving to Garden Grove to

Orange, where they welcomed two more daughters, Jenn and Judi, and ultimately settled in

their forever home in Villa Park in 1978.

Alan became a certified public accountant in 1965 and joined R.C. Edwards & Co as a Partner,

and then Owner. He retired 57 years later in December 2021. He took great joy and pride in the

relationships he established in his role and the businesses he helped grow. He especially loved

sharing this world with his family, particularly traveling to the farms in Brawley, CA. He fancied

himself a cowboy CPA and had the stories to back it.

Outside of work, when he wasn’t golfing, cheering for or coaching his daughters’ sports, he

served on the Board of Directors at Lagonita Lodge in Big Bear, was an active Rotarian and Elk,

and perfectly played his role of First Gent to Villa Park Mayor, Patricia, the “boss.”

An unquenchable zest for life, he traveled to 35+ countries, took many road trips, enjoyed 25

cruises, savored poolside reading in Palm Springs, guacamole in Cabo and water sports in Big

Bear, and visited Judi and Paul in Colorado often. He loved parties, an excellent glass of scotch,

a dance floor, uninterrupted sports on tv, hours in the sun, family dinners, and walks with Pat

and the dogs.

In December 2019, Patricia passed away after 63 years of marriage. Alan enjoyed the last years

of his life living with his eldest, Karen. Together they went on international cruises, shared

television shows, and took trips to Palm Desert filled with pool days, golf cart rides, and dinners

with his long time friends, Carole and Byron Koenig. In 2020, Alan and Karen flew to the east

coast and took a five-week road trip with Gabrielle, his eldest grandchild, during which he

shared dozens of travel memories of his time with Pat, and made new ones. Gabrielle lived with

the pair for a year, during which the trio spent hours laughing hysterically, challenging each

other, learning about one another, and so much more... all from around the dinner table each

night.

Despite being 86, he had more life he wanted to live and surprised us all by leaving so soon. He

started every day saying he was great, when asked, and ended each one with a reminder of how much he

loved you, saying he’d see you tomorrow...“God willing.” His family hopes that everything left

on his list is erased without regret by the fact that he’s dancing with his best friend and bride

once again.

Alan is survived by his older brother George (Bing) Bortle, his daughters Karen Seeley, Jennifer

Hughes, and Judi Holst, his son-in-laws Paul Holst and Bobby Hughes, his nephew David, his

five grandchildren: Gabrielle, Victoria, Trey, Emma and Megan, as well as many other beloved

relatives. He leaves behind many who found him to be a man of great character, unwavering

strength, boundless fun, unbeatable loyalty and an unparalleled love for sports.

His celebration of life will be held on April 11th, at 3:30pm, at Fairhaven Memorial Park in the

Rose Window Chapel, located in the mausoleum (1702 E Fairhaven Ave, Santa Ana, CA

92705). All are more than welcome. In honor of his love of sports, we invite you to wear your

favorite jersey or team gear.

In lieu of flowers, please send prayers, share your favorite stories about him, and consider

making a donation in his name to one of the following: The Gold Rush Cure Foundation,

Make-A-Wish-Foundation, or Elks National Foundation.