Michael W. Bertz

Dr. Michael Wilbur Bertz, of Denver, Colorado, was released from the surly bonds of Earth on May 29, 2026 from complications of Parkinsons’ Disease. Born on June 11, 1936, in Cadiz, Ohio, to parents James and Agnes Sickle Bertz, he was almost 90 years old. Michael was a pediatric anesthesiologist, pilot, and friend to many throughout his life. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Carol Selway Bertz, a son, Michael, daughter, Krista, three granddaughters, Tenley, Addison, Charlotte and an older brother, James of Phoenix.

Michael dearly loved his family, but he also loved aviation and his career as an Anesthesiologist at The Childrens Hospital in Denver. Flying was truly his passion. He bought his first airplane in 1963, then his true love, a North American P-51D Mustang in August 1968 which he named 'Stang Evil. As a kid growing up in Cadiz, he watched those airplanes fly over his house near the end of WWII - which cemented his greatest desire in life - to own and fly a P51. He was only 32 years old when he taught himself how to fly that airplane.

After graduating from Cadiz High School, Michael enlisted in the United States Air Force where he served a little more than three years, before taking an early release, to begin his undergraduate education at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. He earned his pilot’s license at OXD airport in July 1958 while a student at Miami.

In the Summer of 1961, Michael worked in the coal mines near Cadiz, Ohio, and developed a strong work ethic. He went on to dental school at The Ohio State University where he received his D.D.S. in 1965, then was accepted into an oral surgery program at Denver General Hospital. After moving to Denver, he joined an Air Force Reserve medical unit where he earned his commission. He then applied for a medical residency in anesthesia at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN, where he did a residency and fellowship in anesthesia, and remained on the faculty until 1996. In 1972, Michael returned to Denver and began practicing at The Children's Hospital, working as a pediatric anesthesiologist for 40 years taking care of sick kids. He really loved his work at Childrens and felt he found his true niche in medicine during those years.

In the Colorado Air National Guard (COANG), Michael, (who was known as “Gas Passer”), held Air Force Specialty Codes of dentist, anesthesiologist and flight surgeon. In 1991, he was called to active duty and deployed in support of Operation Desert Storm. He went on to become the director of base medical services at Buckley Space Force Base before retiring as a colonel in 1998.

Michael was honored in many ways during his lifetime. He received the distinction of a “Significant Sig” by his fraternity, Sigma Chi. He was active in warbird aviation and flew the P51 in the Reno Air Races multiple times in the 1970s. He participated in many airshows across the US and received the FAA Wright Brothers Master Pilot award in 2015. He was also inducted into the Colorado Aviation Hall of Fame in 2011. Michael enjoyed spending time with his fellow Daedelians and Quiet Birdmen, “QBs” as well.

During all this time, Michael continued to work hard in his medical career, took care of his family, and liked going back to Ohio, for family events and reunions with old friends. Even though he loved living in Colorado, he never forgot about his hometown and enjoyed talking about it to whoever would listen. He was forever a Buckeye and big fan of Ohio State football. The last year was a difficult journey, but he remembered going “From There to Here” in his lifetime. Michael will be buried in the Ft Logan National Cemetery with military honors.