William R. "Bill" Ortman

What a nice man he was! Our weekly treat with was lunch at Ortman's after our daughter's preschool morning. He was always so nice, and told us about the best strawberries for ice cream (the small ones, even though the big ones look showy), and stories of his childhood (putting out a fire with milk and how bad it smelled!). What a special place this was, what a good guy he was! And today, we're reflecting that it seems likely our new Vice President Harris must have known the joys of Ortman's...

I had the honor to work for Bill one summer. It was a magical summer. I learned a lot from Bill. I will tell you this. He put his heart and soul into ice cream. His ingredients were only the freshest and best ingredients in the world. He never had a shortcut for anything. Thank you Bill and RIP

Mr. Ortman's Ice Cream Store was part of my (almost) daily ritual from the early 1950's to the last days of his store...phenomenal ice cream & 'slushes' flavors & superior quality. He was an Institution on Solano Ave. (So was my Mom!) They are, both, missed by the "old-time" locals.

loved your cars.

What great fun he created for so many of us "regulars."

My grandparents knew Bill Ortman as a friend and a fellow Dane. We always went to Ortman's throughout the 1960s and 70s, with its wire backed chairs, bubble gum ice cream, and wonderful feeling. He was good enough to hire my Cousin from Denmark when she came to the US and studied for a year at Cal.

Solano Ave. was never the same after Ortman's left. Berkeley lost a piece of its nice history with the death of Bill Ortman.

On behalf of three generations of my family, thank you...

Ortman's was an important part of my childhood in Berkeley. I remember 5 cent slushes and 15 cent ice cream cones, not to mention delicious sundaes. I also remember Mr. Ortman, who seemed to really enjoy his young customers. Rest in peace, Mr. Ortman, and thank you for the delicious memories!

I will forever remember Ortman's root beer slushes. I would save my nickel by not getting milk at lunch and run to get a slush after school. One of my fondest memories. He stored one of his old cars in my mother's garage. He always drove in the Solano Ave. parades. Thank you and sending good thoughts.

great guy and family