Farewell, Ted Drotleff

It took a few days to compile this post because how do you say goodbye to a friend and fellow burn survivor who was larger than life and more active than most without an injury or illness. That was Ted…larger than life with a compassion to help anyone and everyone who needed it all the while with a sense of humor that made you want to be around him just to laugh through your recovery tears. Even early on, from his burn injury, he was involved in helping other burn survivors and our organization, Burn Survivors of New England. Ted didn’t forget about his other charitable causes like Make a Wish through Subaru, or Boy Scouts of America and his works were not limited to organizations. He was always performing countless acts of kindness for friends and perfect strangers throughout his community.

Ted finally succumbed to his final resting Wednesday, October 26, 2022 with his family, Katie, wife; daughter, Tohru; Mom, Carol; and his friends, Charlie, Julie and Katie surrounding him. Ted fought glioblastoma brain cancer for 15 months, and he fought it with the same dignity, acceptance and fervor to survive and “take care of business” that he did with his burn. His initial diagnosis did not stop him from his charitable work and taking care of his family.

Some of his friends summed it up best, “The world lost one of the most giving people. Always ready to help, helped those he knew and didn’t know…all with an intelligence in so many different avenues, as well as a great sense of humor. He would help you, teach you, and make you laugh.” …“Even though we all knew this day would come it doesn’t make it any easier to accept that you are gone. I will never again experience you stopping by on your tractor just because you were in the “neighborhood”. You were a gift to all of those who had the privilege of knowing you. Whether you realize it or not, you left a story behind anytime you met someone for the first time”.

A friend gone too soon is a tragedy. But what would have been worse is never to have met him. We are grateful that Ted was a part of our community and our friend. Remember to honor him with emulation for his life in all we do. Death is a brutal and chilly companion in the loss of a friendship. However, warmth may be found in happy memories, so snuggle up with them anytime.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.