Richard Albert Ortner II

Richard Albert “Ricky” Ortner II of Agoura Hills, CA, passed away Tuesday March 4th, 2025, at the age of 75. Born in Arcata, CA, on August 29th, 1949, Ricky grew up in San Luis Obispo, CA, as one of five children of parents Connie and Dick Ortner - the only boy in the middle of four sisters.

At an early age Ricky showed tremendous athletic potential, and went on to become one of the greatest multi-sport athletes to compete for and graduate from San Luis Obispo High School (home of the Tigers) during the 1960’s. His best, and best-loved sport was baseball, and his feats are still remembered to this day by his many friends from high school and throughout the San Luis area. Ricky’s talent as a catcher drew the attention of major league scouts, and he was incredibly excited and proud to be drafted by the Chicago White Sox immediately after graduation in 1967.

Not long into his professional baseball career, our country called upon Ricky to serve in the Vietnam War, and he joined the US Army in 1969, serving two tours and earning the rank of Sergeant, leading a small, specialized Recon Team in the dangerous high country and earning multiple medals and citations for his leadership and valor in combat. Upon returning home in 1971, and after attempting to reignite his baseball life after sustaining an injury, he left the White Sox in 1974 and began yet another life chapter in business, holding a variety of exciting, unique sales, marketing and management positions that kept him close to the worlds of sports and entertainment.

One of these roles eventually led him to resettle in the San Francisco area, where he met the love of his life, Jeannie Finkel, originally of Washington, DC, on a rainy Wednesday night in February 1986. It was love at first sight for both of them, and the couple went on to marry three years later in August 1989, spending a total of 39 blessed years together, first in Danville, CA, and since 2006 in Agoura Hills. Ricky and Jeannie took up golf when they relocated to Southern California, and one of their greatest joys was spending time, playing and traveling with their beloved circle of friends from the Saticoy Club in Somis, CA. Ricky’s storytelling, kindness, generosity and fun-loving spirits will be missed and talked about for years to come by those who knew him.

Preceded in death by his parents and two elder sisters, Patricia (Bunyard) and Barbara (Guerrero), Ricky is survived by his loving wife, Jeannie; his younger sisters Lois (Bianchi) and Connie “CJ” (Krempels); his niece Christiani (Gatto), nephews (Beau and Justin Bianchi, Michael Guerrero) and their spouses and children; and his adoring rescue cat Gracie.

Several private Celebrations of Life are being planned for future dates later in 2025. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Ricky’s memory to one of the key causes and organizations he cared about:

Wounded Warrior; Tunnels to Towers or any other organization supporting Veterans; Best Friends Animal Society; or the American Cancer Society.