Orion Ralph Birch
November 28, 1942 ~ September 11, 2020
Born in:
Pueblo, Colorado
Resided in:
Pueblo, Colorado
Orion Ralph Birch, 77, passed away Sept. 11, 2020. Survived by his wife, Alice Birch; children, Louis (Kathleen) Birch, Jamie (Julie) Birch, D’Anna (Mark) Schmidt and Michael (Jennie) DiGrado; 10 grandkids, Tyler, Austin, Natalie, Logan, Cassidie, Noah, Lucia, Shayna, Aurelia and Chelsea; brothers, Gary (Cheryl) Birch, Launnie (Elizabeth) Birch, Karl (Robin) Birch; brother-in-law, Jimmy (Mary Ann) Clementi; several nieces, nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews. Preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Madesta Birch; brothers-in-law, Johnny and Joe Clementi; sisters-in-law, Julia Reagan and Sharon Salvo. Orie was born Nov. 28, 1942, in Pueblo. He retired from CF&I, after more than 40 years of service, serving in various roles from production to management. Orie was a wonderful father, husband, grandfather and loved his family deeply. He was known as the “Baby Whisperer” of the family. He was also a professional bulls***ter backed by a powerful wit. He was an instant friend to everyone he met and he had a contagious laugh. Orie was an excellent champion baseball pitcher, an avid golfer and a cooking enthusiast. One of his greatest accomplishments was his bowling career. He won the Willie Mauro Memorial 700 Club Tournament three times. He was named Mr. Colorado Bowler, Bowler of the Year in 1987 and was inducted into the ABC Hall of Fame in 2000. His ABC high sanctioned game was 300 and rolled three other 300 games. Orie will be missed by so many. He was a proud husband, father, grandpa, uncle, great-uncle and a friend to many. He was Alice’s love of her life and very best friend. Memorials may be made to Colorado Rockies Foundation, 2001 Blake St., Denver, CO 80205. Private services will be held. Online condolences and livestreaming on his obituary page, 10 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 16, at www.MontgomerySteward.com
Renee Miller, we had some wonderful times
What a great Family, full of Love and Creativetevaty
May my super sweet Uncle enjoy the Spirit World
So very very sorry for your loss… loved him so very much!!! God bless and keep you all strong!
Alice — Rhonda and I are so very sorry for your loss. We always enjoyed spending time with you two, especially the golf and family get-togethers through the years. Blessings to you and the family.
That was an amazing service and video for Ori and a great tribute. I will always remember all of the good times we had in the many golf tournaments over the years and all of the events that Colleen and I attended with both of you. Colleen always wanted to sit by Ori to hear all of his stories and make her laugh. He will be missed by all!
So very sorry Launnie and Betsy m.Sending prayers.🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
Dear Alice, Louis and family,
I’m so sorry for your loss. To me, Orie was a “gentle giant” who loved life and little kids! He will be sorely missed. Remember what he taught you and you will be comforted. Your are in my thoughts and prayers.
Peg OToole
Harvey and Sandi 💕🥰💕🥰✌🏼✌🏼✌🏼
My sincere condolences to all of you, during this hard time. Orie was a wonderful man. Love you all John B “Cid” Secora
Alice and family, I’m very sorry for the loss of Orion you have been enjoying your life together but he has left a lot of good memories so life goes on and you will always have him in your heart. He will be missed by all of us. May he rest in peace.
Lou and family,
Please accept our deepest condolences. We are so very sorry to learn of your dads passing. He was always such a nice guy!
He will be missed by so many, I’m sure.
Love Col, Billy & Avery
Alice and family,
Sorry for your loss. Ori was a great guy who always took the time to have a conversation with us at all the functions and dinners we attended. I am sure you will always remember the good times with him. Stay strong.
He will be missed !
Gina & John P.
Sending you all love and strength as you begin to move forward. Orie was such an amazing person and will truly be missed
Love to you all.
Our sincere condolences.
Dear Alice and Family, I was so saddened to read about the loss of Orie…..I know he was a wonderful husband-father-Grandfather-and friend…..my sincere sympathy to you and may fond memories help to comfort all of you……Alice you are in my prayers and my heart
Karl & Launnie
So sorry to hear about the passing of your brother Orie, prayers and thoughts are with you and your family.
Georgiana & Crayton
Alice and family. Nick and I want to extend to you our deepest sympathy for this tremendous loss in your life. Please take care of you. Jan and Nick
Kerry and Chuck Santangelo
Alice and Family,
Chuck and I were so moved to listen to and watch Orie’s Memorial Service. The love expressed by his children was deeply felt by all of us. Love to all of you, Chuck and Kerry
I’m really going to miss Orie, he was my partner in crime for all of the fundraiser parties. I looked forward to all of the events because i knew Orie would be sitting at our table making the evening a whole lot better. I will always miss having Orie on our golf team, he seemed to make every event better … a true friend ! God bless you Alice and your family, you are in our prayers.
Alice, we are so sorry for your loss. Ori was a great man and leaves a tremendous hole in your life. We are asking for our Lord to surround you with His comfort at this difficult time.
Alice,
My heart breaks for you and your family. You know how much I adored Orie and can only imagine the hole that his loss leaves in everyone’s lives. Thinking of you and fond memories with your handsome husband.
Love you,
Laura
Mrs Alice Birch, I am so sorry for the loss of your better half, i pray for you and family and that God Bless and keep you in his fold, please know that Orion will be miss by all his old buddies, he and I had some great day’s at Bessermer Park, competing in Softball, good Pitching Duel’s against one another,hope to see him again in the sky above.
So sorry for your loss, sending love and prayers for the entire Birch family.
R I P Dear Friend and good Buddy.
Alice,
I am heatbroken to learn of your deep loss. I will always remember Ori with affection and will never forget his smile, laugh and Martini’s. Lifting you in prayer today and the days ahead.
Love,
Donna
Orie’s passing has left a void many of us. Our memories of him will live on—Good times at the bowling alley—-Hunting trips—- Orie’s pitching for our fastpitch softball team—-Just chilling with him in the basement of the family home on Dartmouth—- also—I always did envy Launnie, because he had Orie for a big brother!
To Alice from your “little sister” … May all the memories of your life with Orie bring you comfort at this time. You will be in my prayers.
Alice and family
So sorry for your loss of Orie.
Hope that you can find comfort in all the wonderful memories that you have made with him. He will surely be greatly missed.
Love, Charlie and Ginny Hunsaker
Dear Birch Family,
I am so sorry for your loss! My heart breaks for you and your dear family. While we were competitors during the day, Ori, ALWAYS took the time to check in with me. He especially loved to ask about my grandson Orion and always used to tell me that he had a great future with a name like Orion. Deepest condolences 🙏💔😓
Alice and family,
Sorry for you loss.
John B. Cordova Sr.
Alice and Family so very sorry to hear of your loved one passing. My sincere condolences
So sorry for the entire Birch family. Lonnie,Liz,Karl and Robin you are all in my prayers.
So sorry to hear of your dear Husbands passing. Please know I am thinking of you and am praying for your peace and comfort.
Love to you,
Patsy
I am so sorry for your loss. I’ll never forget how great Ori was to me during the time we worked together. He was a joy to be around. My condolences to Alice and the rest of the family.
We are so sorry to hear about Orion. Our Prayers and thoughts all of you. John and Sharon Rusovick
John and Sharon Rusovick
I’m so sorry to hear about Orie. All the best to your family from us.
Dearest Alice, I only met your lovely husband a few times, however I knew you two made the ideal couple. Sending sympathy and blessings to you and your family. Virtual hugs, Barb Bernard
My deepest sympathy to Orie’s family he was a true friend and competitor!!
Dave and Jacque Beauvais
My deepest condolences on Orie’s passing to Alice, Karl and all of the family and friends.
Alice and family –
Our hearts are broken as we think of our dear friend, Ori. You remain in our prayers and we will see you soon. We all have a giant of a guardian angel watching over us now. Love, Ray & Patty Erjavec
We are saddened to hear of the passing of Orie. I was honored to have worked with him and watch him excel in many venues. I considered Orie a good friend who loved life and lived large. We will miss him.
Our sincere condolences go out to Alice and the rest of the family.
Scott and Rhonda Bridgman
Jace and I send our condolences.
Alice and family, we would like to extend our deepest sympathies to you at this time. Our prayers are with you.
Marlene & Tom Keithley
Mike and Cindy Marcovecchio
Aunt Alice,
My heart aches for your loss.
All my memories of Uncle Orie bring nothing but a smile.
You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Aunt Alice,
My heart aches for your loss. All my memories of Uncle Orie will bring a smile.
You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Alice. Diana and I were so saddened to learn of your loss. Our thoughts and sympathies are with you and all of the family.
Ken and Diana Conyers
Aunt Alice,
I’m so sorry to hear that Uncle Orie passed. He was so much fun to be around!!! He could create a party out of a boring Tuesday afternoon, it seemed. He will be missed. Love you!!!
Alice and family,
I am so saddened to hear of Orie’s passing. He surely was one of a kind. You are in my thoughts and prayers. God bless and comfort you all during this difficult time.
Love,
Chandra
Tom and Claire Bruss
Connie Gibbens
Orie has gone, but he left us with memories that will be with us as long as we live. It will be impossible to think of him without smiling. When we were around Orie, we always knew we were going to have a good time with lots of laughs. Maybe someday we will all have dinner at the Boston Sea Party in heaven.
Alice, we are sure that all of the special memories that you have of Orie, will help you to get through this very difficult time. Love, Vic and Alice
We are so sorry to hear of Orie’s passing. Our deepest sympathy to the family of a great guy.
We know he will be greatly missed. Love and hugs. Skip and Judy
Alice and family,
So sorry for your loss. Thinking of you during this tough time.
Corinne Koehler