Dec. 21, 1924 - Sept. 6, 2008

Daniel David Ortman passed away peacefully Saturday, Sept. 6, after a short, but courageous battle with cancer. He was 83.

Dan was born in Condon, the son of William and Julia Schlies Ortman. His family moved to Coos Bay when he was a young boy, and he graduated from Marshfield High School in 1942.

Dan worked his entire life for Evans Products Company, which later became Evanite Corporation. He retired in 1983 after 43 years with the company. Evanite honored his lengthy service with a commemorative flagpole in front of the company office on Chapman Lane.

Dan enlisted in the Navy during World War II and proudly served in the 107th Seabee Naval Construction Battalion. He served in the Marshall and Marianas Islands. While on Tinian Island, Dan witnessed the takeoffs of the B-29 bombers Enola Gay and Bockscar, on their way to deliver the atomic bombs to Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan.

After the war, Dan returned to Coos Bay and married Charlotte I. Betts. In 1959, Dan and his family moved to Corvallis. Dan lived in the same home for the next 48 years.

Dan and Charlotte loved fishing, golfing and adventure. They twice drove their motor home down Baja California to winter in Cabo San Lucas. Many winters were spent in Arizona and San Diego, Calif., where they would play golf. Summers and fall were spent wherever the fish were biting.

Dan and Charlotte especially enjoyed following their grandchildren's sporting events, often traveling many miles to watch them compete.

Dan is survived by his sons, Bill and wife Cecilia Ortman of Albany, Ken and wife Lynn Couch of Pensacola, Fla., and Rodney Wivell of Roseburg; and grandchildren, Ben, Julie and Katie Ortman.

Dan was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Frederick; and sister, Josephine Buell.

His neighbors will fondly miss Grandpa Dan's afternoon vigils in his chair on the front porch where he observed the comings and goings of the neighborhood.

A memorial service will be at 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 12, at DeMoss-Durdan Funeral Home.

Memorial donations can be made to Benton Hospice Service.

Arrangements are with DeMoss-Durdan Funeral Home and Crematory, www.demossdurdan.com.