Dr. Eduardo A Ortiz

Dr. Eduardo A. Ortiz, Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Air Force, passed away peacefully July 10, 2013, age 82. An eminent cardiovascular and thoracic surgeon for over three decades, his love for his adopted country took his family from Washington DC to the Mariana Islands in 1966, to expand the first civilian hospital on Guam, eventually serving as the Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Guam Memorial Hospital. A natural leader yet affable in demeanor, Dr. Ortiz successfully organized all Filipino communities on the island to strengthen their political and cultural voice, as well as served as presidents of notable medical organizations and philanthropic institutions, for which he received the highest commendation by the Guam Legislature. His distinguished 16 years of military service is highlighted by active duty during Desert Storm while stationed at RAF Upper Heyford, UK, and during the height of the Cold War in the 1980s at Bitburg AFB, Germany. Lieutenant Colonel Ortiz also served as a senior flight surgeon to test pilots at Edwards AFB, California, and was honored wth the Air Force Commendation Medal for his leadership at George AFB, California. Born in San Jose, Philippines, Dr. Ortiz was married for nearly 60 years to his beloved Inday Dorado, gentle father to Eduardo Jr., Ike and Tess, and survived by eight grandchildren, four great grandchildren, and one sister of seven siblings.

Visitation will be held 4-7 pm, July 21 at Palm Mortuary Henderson, 800 South Boulder Highway, Henderson, NV. Funeral Mass commences at 11:30 am, July 22 at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church, 204 South Boulder Highway, Henderson, NV. Burial immediately following at the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 1900 Veterans Memorial Drive, Boulder City, NV.