William Kreutter

William "Bill" Frederick Kreutter Jr. M.D. was a Denver, CO native born to William F. Kreutter Sr. and Dorothy (Friedrich) Kreutter on November 29, 1936. He died peacefully under hospice care on August 17, 2018, at his Denver home.

Bill lived most of his life in Denver. He attended East High School (1955) and the University of Colorado Medical School (1963) and after, began a pediatric practice that lasted 41 years in nearby Wheat Ridge, CO. He left Denver for his undergraduate degree at Amherst College (1959) and the University of Washington (1966) for his internship/residency in pediatrics. Near the completion of his residency, Bill was drafted into the U.S. Army (1966-1968) where he served in Okinawa, Japan, caring for the children of soldiers stationed there. After completing his military service, he returned to Denver to work with the Tri-County Health Department where he met his future wife Sharon (Fortier). During this time, he also met his future business associate, Gordon Fleischaker M.D. They combined their pediatric practices "on a handshake" to begin Bill's career until his retirement in November of 2011. During these years, Bill found deep fulfillment working with his young patients and their families, formed lasting friendships with co-workers and hospital staffs, and mentored CU medical students. After retirement, he volunteered for five years in a DPS kindergarten class in order to continue to work with children. He became known as Mr. Bill, a moniker he admired, and he always said, "I did whatever the teacher told me to do."

Bill was known for his patient, gentle manner spiced with humor and wit. He was a devoted father to his two daughters and taught them laughter, imagination and a reverence for the natural world. From an early age, he found refuge and joy in the outdoors as he hiked, skied and snowshoed Colorado’s mountains. He learned how to fly-fish at Monarch Lake when he was eight years old and became a skilled craftsman in fly tying. He spent many peaceful days fishing catch-and-release on the Fraser and Colorado Rivers. Bill expressed his belief in God through his love of the natural world as well as attending Mass with Sharon since their dating days. Psalm 23 was a lifelong favorite prayer of his. He was an unassuming man who felt he had been very lucky in life and was truly thankful for all his good fortune.

Bill deeply loved his family: Sharon, his wife of 46 years, daughters Jessica Kreutter (Houston, TX) and Stephanie Kreutter (Portland, OR), who all survive him. Also surviving him are numerous family members. We will miss his love of the outdoors, unique sense of humor and warm, easy-going personality. His sister, Betty K. Kennedy, predeceased him.

Please consider contributions to:

~ Children's Hospital Colorado Foundation

[email protected]

~ Colorado River Headwaters Chapter of Trout Unlimited

https://www.coheadwaters.org/Home/Donate.aspx