Richard was born to Horace E. and Gretta (Bethel) Zortman in Fowler, Kansas on July 26, 1938. He died suddenly and unexpectedly in Denver, Colorado on June 19, 2021. In 1986 he married his wife of thirty-five years, Jackie Taylor Zortman, who will continue to remain in their Ouray home. Richard attended public school in Kansas and Wichita State University for two years at night plus the Wichita, Kansas Police Academy. He loved the outdoors and was a gunsmith and avid hunter, fisher and camper. He enlisted in the Air Force in 1961 where he became a jet engine mechanic, then a reserve and was honorably discharged in 1965. He was a law enforcement officer for forty-two years of his life.

He joined the Wichita Kansas Police Department in October 1961 where he remained for twenty years, retiring as their Senior Homicide Detective in 1981. He then moved to Ouray in October 1981 and became the Ouray Chief of Police in January 1982 where he remained for twenty two years, retiring in November 2003.

He was preceded in death by his parents and older sister, Nancy Jane Zortman and is survived by his wife, Jackie Taylor Zortman, his son, Rick Zortman, two siblings Paul Zortman (Peggy) and Paula Garrison, his granddaughter Sarah Zortman Johnson (Jorden) and stepchildren Barb Kent and Eric Schoenebaum (Jill). He has four step-grandchildren-James Peter Morss , Dylan Sever, Kyle Schoenebaum (Sophie) and Taylor Schoenebaum Cassady (Stefen) plus two step great-grandchildren Lakelyn and Tyndall Schoenebaum.

A memorial service is tentatively planned for sometime in July. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Chief Ouray Gun Club.