Tonight I light a candle on this website in memory of Dennis and recall his curiosity, kindness, love of family, faith and friendship.  We do not forget our caring friends and family who have gone before us no matter how many years go by.  Cheers to you and to Bob.  Vicky Tiberio

It' been 4 years since you went to the Father.  Miss you and I want you to know we still meet (On Mondays now) for bible study.

I am  thinking of dear Dennis on his anniversary today.  He was a man of love, laughter, and thoughtfulness, and  he touched many lives. He also had a great sense of adventure, of history, of learning and growth, and we all benefited greatly from knowing him. 

Thank you, Dennis, for your beautiful and gracious life. And forgive us for any errors of judgment on our part. I for one need such forgiveness. I thought that connecting your family to the hospital where you were, and connecting them  to a Russian speaker who could assist while your recovery was taking place was sufficient. How mistaken I was. It did not even occur to me that that would be our final parting. I will always live with that sense of pain and guilt, and ask for your forgiveness. Regards, Krishen Mehta

Dennis, though our lives took a different path, I will always cherish our friendship while at Christ the King. Rest in peace my friend.

I just heard of Dennis' passing. Dennis graciously invited me and our Seattle U debate team to join the speaking club he was a part of. Dennis was kind, thoughtful, reflective, ready to share his opinion--and he had interesting, unique takes on things.

I send my sincere condolences to family and friends. Dennis was really a good man.

I agree with Dennis' son Peter's eulogy of his dad that Dennis was a renaissance man.  Dennis was skilled and well versed in many fields of knowledge.  He was also charming  and witty.  In former times a renaissance man might also be able to fence.  
Following the celebration of Dennis' life, I was mentioning the fencing part to another Dennis Bible Study member (as we now call our group) and the response was made that Dennis did live in North Dakota at one time and perhaps knew something about fencing.  Dennis always made our weekly St. Patrick Bible study very lively and memorable.  Dennis, Mari and I carpooled weekly to Bible study before Covid-19 and I enjoyed a variety of lively conversations with both of them to and from the gathering.

There were other connections with Dennis.  At some point in the past I learned that Dennis and my late husband Bob (1944-2004) were in the same Blanchet graduating class.  Dennis and I both taught at Blanchet.   Dennis' family were neighbors with the original family in the Broadview home that my daughter Laura and her family now live.   A few years ago I invited Dennis to join my book club's discussion of his self-published thriller novel  "The Berlin-Breslau Affair." The participants were very impressed with the breadth of his knowledge as well as his charming and witty manner. Everyone felt at ease with Dennis.

Dennis touched the lives of many people all over the world.  He will be greatly missed by all.  


 


Dennis and I were friends from grade school through college. Then our careers took us in separate directions. Then several years ago my son, a U.S. Foreign Service Officer, sent me an email asking if I knew this person who was giving a talk on public banking. It was Dennis so I was able to read up on his stellar career.  Fast forward to a presentation I was giving at the East-West Center at the University of Hawaii. At the end the moderator announced that the upcoming speaker in a couple of weeks was to be Dennis Ortblad who would be speaking on Japan and APEC. The small world syndrome once again. Unfortunately I was out of town that week and I was unable to reconnect with Dennis. I’m sure we would have had much to talk about. It turns out we had much in common during our careers: his writing and my editing and publishing. Dennis will be missed. He was a terrific friend. 

Dennis was a thoughtful and kind friend. My husband, John Repp, and I worked with him on Public Banking and because of his knowledge of the public banking in Germany it widened our view.  We are grateful that we had him in our life for a time.  Condolences to his family, he will be missed.

Dennis and I were both members of the 1962 graduation class of Blanchet HS.  Our real connection was found on the basketball court. We played for the Braves during our 4 years. We were close teammates during our junior and senior years. We had a fun and winning season starting  on the JV team. Our senior year we had the wonderful opportunity to play on the varsity. We did not start but we contributed to our teams success. This was another fun and winning season going 19 wins and 9 losses. We finished 8th at the State Tournament.  One key memory of Dennis and basketball was his ability during practice of driving to the basket being hit by his elbows. He was a  great teammate.  God Bless

The term “good friend” is much used but in Dennis’ case it had real meaning. I met Dennis about ten years  ago over coffee  at St.. Patrick’s Church, and our friendship  grew,, both in a Bible discussion group and in a  men'sbook group.   I appreciated his generosity with his time and attention,  his sense of humor.  He was  curious and articulate about many things, and took nothing for granted, including  his religious faith,  qualities I think that endeared him to anyone who met him. Another much used phrase, “he will be missed” truly applies to Dennis. 

Dennis was a classmate of mine at Blanchet high school and at Saint Edwards seminary in Kenmore Washington. He had a wicked sense of humor, forced me not to take myself too seriously, and was a pleasure to know.

I will miss my Cousin Dennis. I remember my first trip to Seattle and how he took me to see the Pacific Northwest with its mountains and lakes. May he rest in peace.
 

We remember Dennis from his trip with CCI group to Russia, Yalta and Sevastopol in 2019.  He was very bright and jolly and our students were happy to spend time with him discussing various questions. He was on the same wave with young people, full of energy and positive emotions.   We admired his ability to start learning a new language and to stay young in his heart and spirit. 

We remember him. 
In our local church in Yalta we will light a candle for his memory . Peace to his soul. Our sincere condolences to his family. 

Thank you all for the love to the family. My big Brother was special.



Though we have lost track with each other, we were very good friends at Christ the King and hung out together almost daily. I have always appreciated Dennis' wit though not necessarily his athleticism 😊 I will miss him.


Very sad to hear of Dennys passing. He was my best friend during our early years together. Endless hours playing HORSE, trips to the library, reading Mad Magazine, having fun. As an only child I so enjoyed all us kids playing card games, board games and just watching a loving family together. And listening to their dad loudly singing Gregorian 
chants and Mom watching over us all. Rest in peace Denny and solace to the family. Attached is a picture that popped up on Facebook yesterday that I had hoped he saw.   



Dennis was kind, curious, and concerned. He was a global citizen whose  empathy ran deep,  in our corner of the world and most corners. In our speakers' club, he piqued our interest in subjects familiar and not so familiar. He was a tremendous storyteller, teacher, connector, action-oriented citizen, writer, and adventurer. Beyond the club, we shared interests in cooperatives, public banking, public speaking, writing, history, foreign relations, and more. He was a remarkable human being who has left a lasting impression in my head and in my heart. No doubt he's touched your heart, too.  Hug and hold your loved ones, often.  

Our book club, of which Dennis was a member, met tonight--the night before his memorial service--and a good portion of the meeting was devoted to remembering and appreciating Dennis. We all agreed: Dennis often brought a different perspective to our sometimes "echo chamber" literary discussions and digressions, he was a person who grew more interesting the more we got to know him and we will miss him.

Dennis Ortblad was a man who brought many gifts to the table, and shared them freely.

His knowledge of the world – and his faith 

His concern for people everywhere – and his understanding of the things that divide us

His commitment to peace – and knowing how easily peace can be taken for granted, and lost

The world needs more people who are like Dennis Ortblad.

May God rest his soul.


Dennis my friend and Bible Study buddy.  He started our study group and his knowledge, historical views, insight of the Bible made our discussions of the scriptures informative, educational,  and at times exciting. He was just an all around nice guy. I truly miss him.  So many wonderful memories of Dennis have been written and speak so highly of him and show how much he was admired and loved.  He truly was a great man.  
Mari God Bless you and family in this sad time.  

Dear Mari, may the Holy Spirit be with you as you and your family adjust to Dennis' departure to the afterlife.  Dennis will always be remembered by me as a very important reason why my own life, at a pivotal juncture, was refreshed with meaning.  By organizing a small group from St. Patrick's to a weekly evening to read the bible and comment on what we read he not only introduced me to the historical, ethical, and spiritual context of what we read, but to Dennis' commitment and appreciation of community and its diversity of opinion and perspective.  His quiet intelligence, the depth of his work history, his faith, and his sense of humor, as he facilitated, forged our bond as a community striving for the broader good.  Because I am unable to attend his Memorial gatherings I have set up an altar in his memory, and at the appropriate time will light the candle placed before La Virgen de Guadalupe.  Amor y Abrazos, Yvonne.

Dennis, I appreciated the opportunity to live next to you and Mari these last 12 years or so. You were always a pleasure to talk with, whether it be about the local community or broader global topics. You always had an insight and a thoughtfulness to you. And you were always ready with a smile or quip. You're good nature and energy emanated from you. I'm truly sorry to see you go. But, so thankful to have known you. Rest in peace.

Dennis, Big Brother, you taught me chess. But Funny times were a Comedy club together in Seattle..."Tree" . We both laugh too loudly. 
Then we ran out of gas in a tunnel toward Matsushima Japan. 
No lunch, no gas.  Maybe Matsuyama?...a spa town..
you had a speech scheduled..
You forgot your fishing bag on a hike when  i was young,
 had to hike back uphill. 
But I Love you,
 I try to be be as kind and generous as you. XOXO Karen O.



We have a lot of wonderful memories of Uncle Dennis!  Manlik remembers visiting Dennis and Mari in Hamburg Germany and Dennis taking him out for a "proper German beer with a Schnapps chaser"  His first time in a foreign tavern. Other memories include Dennis and Mari joining us for a weekend thru the Willamette Valley touring vineyards and sampling delicious wines and snacks!  We also enjoyed get togethers for family events like Halloween parties, Chinese New Year celebrations, and weddings!  Dennis, you will be missed!  God bless you and we love you!  Manlik and Paula Kwong

Dear Mrs. Ortblad,

Please accept my sincere condolences for your loss.  I can only imagine the pain and stress you have endured since Dennis's passing so many miles from home and the comfort of his family.  

I met your husband in Russia two years ago when we were both part of a citizen-to-citizen diplomacy mission.  As the delegates were sharing their histories, I was amazed to hear that Dennis was, in fact, a professional in the diplomatic world, and yet he was as open and willing to engage in a peace mission at the citizen level as the rest of us, amateurs for the most part.   I believe that quality of humility is the mark of an extraordinarily kind and perceptive  being.

Best wishes to you and your family in this profoundly sad time.

Paula Day



It was a joy spending several holidays while at Uni in Seattle celebrating with aunt Mari, uncle Dennis, and the whole Ortblad family. When my marching band schedule made travel logistics difficult, I always had a place to stay. Dennis had fascinating stories and anecdotes from his many travels abroad, keen insights, and you will be missed by anyone who had the pleasure to know you. My favorite memories were coming across you on campus as you sat in on lectures, invariably drawn to some new and interesting subject you were curious about. 

As they say here, kia kaha Ortblad family. Me nga whakaaro, inoi aroha atu (stay strong. with loving thoughts and prayers).  From the whole Settineri family, we hope to see you as soon as we're able.  

This world lost a great one. Dennis Ortblad was a former career diplomat, and later - citizen diplomat who traveled on his own time, with a message of peace and unity for nations around the world, which he delivered in multiple languages. 

I will forever be grateful to Dennis for all of his wisdom and kindness, his sense of humor and perseverance, even in the darkest of times. May God rest his soul

I never met Dennis in person but it happened that I was involved in his last days in Moscow hospital. 
I could see the love of Dennis's family from messages and calls from Mari and Vanessa. Let Dennis rest in peace and may all good memories that you have about him stay alive in your hearts.

In a time of labels and tribal identities, Dennis stood out for refusing to fit neatly into a political or ideological box -- “conservative” or “liberal’ or “Republican” or whatever.  He was a Sulpician-educated, cautious pragmatist.  Like the diplomat he was trained to be, he valued solutions, not ideological purity. For example, here was a believer in capitalism and private enterprise working to establish a state-backed, publicly owned bank – because it was a good solution. 

Dennis looked for what worked – not what fit the mold. He would have agreed with Deng Xiaoping, who said “black cat or white cat – it’s the good cat that can catch mice.” 

Dennis Ortblad inspires me with his confidence that a person can make a difference . . . his belief that every person should try to make a difference . . . and his hold on happiness as he did so.   


My name is Krishen Mehta, and I had the privilege of spending the days from October 6th to 15th with Dennis in Russia, before his admission to the hospital in Moscow on October 16th. He was a very loving and happy person right till the end. Throughout those ten days, I found Dennis to be gracious, and full of laughter and joy. I have many fond memories of Dennis, including our trip to Crimea in 2019. Even though fate has snatched Dennis away from us, he was in very happy spirits right till his last last few days. He was at peace with himself,  and loving and gracious to everyone he met. I was deeply moved by his friendship and his love towards me. A picture from our trip from Moscow to Kazan on October 9th is attached. I wish Dennis eternal peace, and will always remember him with love and grace. 

OBITUARY

Dennis J Ortblad

September 14, 1944 – October 24, 2021

Butterworth Funeral Home - Arthur A Wright Chapel & Queen Anne Columbarium

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