Richard David Ortiz

Richard David (Dave) Ortiz passed away on December 27, 2023 in San Antonio TX. He was 77 years old. Dave was born on February 17, 1946 in Albuquerque NM and received his education in NM. He graduated from NM Institute of Mining and Technology in 1970. Dave was a musician and met Stephanie, his first wife, then. He worked in Silicon Valley for 9 years as a software engineer, married Debbie, and was divorced before moving to Phoenix in 1982. He bought a new house and had a darkroom because he was also a photographer. He met Arlene in 1982 and in 1986 they moved to Las Cruces NM so he could work at the NASA Satellite Ground Terminal. Las Cruces is where he took flying lessons, got his pilots' license, and began playing his music again. In 1993 Dave and Arlene were married. In 1996 they moved to TX so Dave could take a new software job and he retired when he was 66. They built their dream house in 2010 in Blanco County TX.

He is survived by his wife Arlene Klein Ortiz, her son David Gray and his family in Ward AR, sister Estie Shirley of Albuquerque NM, her daughter Nicole Suknot and husband Ronnie of Albuquerque NM, and niece Tammy Hartman of Phoenix, who helped him tremendously during his recent illness. Preceded in death by his father Joe Ortiz, mother Priscilla Ortiz, brother Michael Ortiz, sister in law Marynelle Ortiz, brother in law Clint Shirley and Arlene’s brother Don Klein. Cremation will take place at a later date.