Celebrating the life of Harold Woodgate "Hal" Ostertag
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Obituary for Harold Woodgate "Hal" Ostertag
Hal passed away surrounded by his loving family in Denver, Colorado on Monday, October 22, 2018 at the age of 87. He was born September 14,1931 in El Paso, Texas. He graduated from Austin High School in El Paso before attending the University of Texas El Paso and then transferring to the University of Colorado where he was a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity. He graduated in 1953 with a B.S. in Business, attended Officer Candidate School in Rhode Island and was commissioned as a Naval Officer. He proudly served on the U.S.S. Manchester CL-83 during the Korean War. He was honorably discharged from the Navy as a Lieutenant in 1957.
While stationed in Houston, Hal met his bride-to-be, Charlene Margaret Barnhart (Shawn) at a mutual friend’s wedding in Colorado. They were married and settled in Denver on September 3,1955. After working for New York Life and the Travelers, Hal formed his own insurance agency, Anderson-Ostertag, and remained independent until he sold his company in 2002.
Hal was a wonderful friend to those in his life and was involved in many social and charitable organizations, including a 45 year membership in the University Hills Optimist Club, El Jebel Shrine, St. Francis Center, Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, various food banks and the Republican Party. Hal’s passions included fly fishing and working on the family ranch, traveling, collecting rare stamps and coins, tending to his vegetable and flower gardens, and cheering on the Colorado Rockies and the Avalanche. Above all, Hal’s greatest passion was his family.
Hal was preceded in death by his wife, Charlene Margaret Ostertag after 46 years of marriage, parents Kathryn Woodgate and Carl J. Ostertag Sr., sisters Dorothy Ostertag and Kathryn Emery, brothers Carl J. Ostertag Jr. and Edward F. Ostertag.
He is survived by his children Robert B. Ostertag (wife DeeDee) and Pamela W. Decker (husband David); three grandchildren: Brooke Thompson (husband Matthew), Morgan Ostertag and Charlie Decker; great-grandchild Maddie Thompson and his sister, Mary Barkemeyer.
Hal will be remembered as a loving son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, friend, proud American and veteran.
He will be deeply missed and forever loved by his family.
A memorial service will be held Tuesday, November 6 at 10:00 a.m. at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, 8545 East Dry Creek Road, Centennial, Colorado. A reception for family and friends in Hal’s honor will immediately follow at Del Frisco’s Steakhouse, 8100 East Orchard Road.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to:
St. Francis Center Attention: Andrew 2323 Curtis Street Denver, Colorado 80205
