Dr. David Ortbals and wife, Jane
David Ortbals ’61 developed a wicked fastball on the SLUH baseball team, according to his brother Jim. After pitching a no-hitter one game, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch published an article that credited Tom Ortbals (his cousin) with pitching the no-hitter. Although David’s moment in the limelight was dashed, he authored a far more impressive story later in life as the ultimate team player—a Man for Others.
“David referred to himself during his high school years as a knucklehead,” says his wife (now widow) Jane. “Yet it was during his time at SLUH that he turned himself around and embraced the intellectual preparation and spiritual guidance the Jesuit education offered.”
After SLUH, David earned his B.S. in chemistry at Saint Louis University and his medical degree from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis before completing his residency in internal medicine at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
He served in the U.S. Navy from 1973–75 at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, as a lieutenant commander and physician for the Marine Corps. He returned to St. Louis to complete a fellowship in infectious disease at Washington University School of Medicine.
In addition to successfully running his own internal medicine practice for 35 years, he served as an assistant professor of clinical medicine at Washington University School of Medicine, president of the WashU Alumni Association (1995–98) and president of St. Luke’s Hospital Medical Staff (1996–99). After retiring from private practice, he was a physician advisor for Physicians Regional Healthcare System-Pine Ridge in Florida from 2013–20.
“As a doctor, David was known as a Man for Others,” says Jane. “Beyond his intelligence, he had a compassionate heart, inherent kindness and a charismatic demeanor. He never hesitated to answer calls, texts or requests for medical counsel and care. Everyone in his care benefited from his exceptional bedside manner.”
He personified his care for others in his personal life as a loving husband, father and grandfather. “He cared about everybody,” says grandson Gabe Altier ’27, whose brother, Luke ’21, also attended SLUH. “He was always helping people, giving compliments and making sure we were OK. Of course I am proud of his many great accomplishments, but I am most proud of the immense strength he displayed mentally and how he always lifted others up.”
Even after David and Jane moved to Naples, Florida, he remained a diehard St. Louisan, loyal to his beloved Cardinals and Anheuser-Busch Brewery (where he worked during college). He also remained grateful to SLUH, establishing a partially endowed scholarship—the Dr. & Mrs. David Ortbals Scholarship—with a bequest gift following his passing in 2023.
“He always gave credit to SLUH for the formative influence it had on his later life and career,” says Jane.
Through his scholarship, Dr. Ortbals will help ensure SLUH continues to provide an excellent education and strong formational experience for current and future Jr. Bills.
You, like the Ortbals, can create a legacy that will directly impact SLUH students. Please contact Linda Domeyer at (314) 269-2113 or ldomeyer@sluh.org to learn more about how you make a difference.