Allen Bottorff

Allen Edward Bottorff (75) of Sandy, Utah, passed away on September 25, 2019 in the VA Hospital of complications related to a variety of illnesses and injuries.  He is survived by his daughter Charleen (Michael) Matson, grandchildren Ben (Crystal) Matson, Anastasia (Jake) Simkins, Emily Matson, and greatgranddaughter Riley Anne Matson. He is also survived by his wife, Cheryl Lyn Fortie Bottorff, and her large extended family, who loved him for his kindness and generosity.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond Edward Bottorff and Wanda Scoggin Bottorff, and sisters Meeta Rae, Mona Kay, and Debra. Allen was born in Pomeroy, Washington, where he was a cowboy for a summer at the age of 11, and rode motorcycles, which continued to be a great passion. He got his first dirt bike when he was 14 and raced for many years, earning many first places. He served his country proudly in the U.S. Army on four continents, including three tours in Vietnam, where he was involved in a great deal of combat as an Army Ranger and sustained numerous injuries.  He retired as a First Sergeant in 1981. His love for and skill with guns started in the military and continued throughout his life. Allen loved sharing his life’s adventures with anyone who would listen. An adrenaline junkie, he excelled in skydiving, motorcycles, and fast cars. From an early age he was curious about how things worked and had an innate understanding of physics. He was self-taught, Army-educated, and brilliant, and excelled in all aspects of computers from the earliest versions of Apples. He may have been the first to completely automate a company without the use of a mainframe (on an Apple II). He owned several businesses on the Monterey Peninsula, California, after he retired from the Army, including as a computer consultant. He had his share of struggles, but rose above them all, receiving his 44-year chip from AA in 2018.  Allen had a heart of gold and dedicated his life to helping people. Only his ailments prevented him from doing more, which was a constant concern to him.

There will be a visitation Wednesday evening, October 2 at 7:30 - 9:00 p.m. and the funeral Thursday morning, October 3 at 11:00 a.m. both at the church at 1433 Old Mission Road, Sandy.