November 30, 1933 �" May 5, 2009
Born in Hurleyville, New York, November 30, 1933, Charles "Skip" Ortmann moved with his family to Oakland in 1947, where he attended Oakland High School, graduating with honors, particularly in the art and design department.
After further study in Los Angeles, he returned to San Francisco where his interior design talents were employed at The Emporium, Dillingham & Co., Antiquario, Macy's, Sloane's and Jack Square's Eliot-Pontin.
An avid record collector, his passion for opera was satisfied by his work as a supernumerary in the 1950s, leading to lifelong main floor attendance at the San Francisco Opera.
His early work is part of the collections of the San Francisco and Oakland art museums. His theatre designs benefited the Golden Hand, Berkeley Opera, Lamplighters, four advanced training program productions for Actors Conservatory Theatre, and most recently, a Moliere play for Synergy.
Surrounded by family from Idaho and Oregon, Skip left us on May 5, 2009, leaving faithful loving friends and buddies at the Eagle and the Phoenix Uniform Club.
A private memorial will be held in June.