My Friend Chuck Bortkun

[Ron Pruter]

My dear friend Chuck, has passed away from complications from a fall he had while going to his music room. I visited him in the hospital. He told me he broke a rib and showed me a huge egg plant colored bruise on his right hip. The bruise had to be a foot long. He was on oxygen, which was way low, and pain killers but all in all, he seemed pretty good. We had a few laughs. I said I'd check back in a few days and when I did, his wife told me he freaked out and pulled all his tubes out and next thing I know he's at a hospice. I visited him there only to find him sound asleep on morphine and oxygen.
I didn't want to bother him so I just hung out with him while he slept. The nurse came in and filled me in. She gave him about 24hrs. What a shock. She left after checking him out, and said to go ahead and talk to him. He can probably hear you. So I told him how I'll miss him, what a loyal, generous person he was.
Praying for a come back, I just got the word today. He's gone. He was a big fan of steel guitar. Loved anything steel, starting with Hawaiian music going back to when he was young and in the navy. We would go see local greats and go to steel shows together. He took lessons from me for years. He was even a big fan of me. God knows there aren't many of those. See you later chuck.. Ron Pruter

[Joachim Kettner]

My condolences to the loss of your friend, Ron.

[Doug Taylor]

So sorry!

[Donna Dodd]

I’m so sorry for your loss, Ron! What a tragic chain of events!

[Larry Lenhart]

I was so sorry to hear about Chucks passing...he was a good friend to me and a real gentleman...a very humble sort, and he did love the steel guitar ! I will miss seeing him at the jams,,,,he was always so supportive of the steel. We sat at the same table many years at the SWSGA with me and I will miss him very much ! My heart goes out to the family.
Thanks Ron for being with him while you could.