Adventure Mom Rides into the Ether
We regret having to share news of the passing of our boldly adventurous mother, Bette Bauman Rittinger. Bette passed away peacefully at home exactly two months after celebrating her 87th birthday. She was surrounded in embracing love with her family, Scott, Kristy, Rebecca, Justin, and Nora, serving as her spiritual guide cat.
From pearls to alpacas, Bette’s fascinating life journey spanned many adventures and settings. From her beginnings in coastal Maryland, a stint in Chicago, time as an art teacher, and many fantastic years in Breckenridge… as well as many travels close and far…
Her most recent chapters were written in the foothills of Boulder over the past three decades. Much of her life was spent on a farm, on the slopes, in the studio, or on a beach, and many people are familiar with her ruggedly independent nature put to work founding The Alpaca Store and More in Nederland, and running her beloved Double B-R Ranch, home to many alpacas, llamas, horses, goats, yaks, dogs, cats… even moose and bobcats.
One of the pioneers of the Colorado alpaca business community, Bette had countless friends, contacts, acquaintances, as well as mentees and mentors in the alpaca world, including the Consul General of Peru, top fashions designers and native artisans there, and she spearheaded the establishment of a fair-trade marketplace and fashion show in Denver, a country-wide program to preserve traditional weaving techniques in Peruvian school curriculum, and various interactive community alpaca events.
As a frequent exhibitor at alpaca shows, the National Western Stock Show, and the Nederland Frozen Dead Guy Days, Bette was a tireless champion of the industry and the wonderful warm animals central to it. She relished any opportunity to introduce and inform the curious about alpacas, even launching a (semi-serious) grass-roots campaign to run Zparkler the alpaca for US President— she was sure that would be better for us!
Bette’s life was dynamic and rich with connections to the many great friends, family members, visitors, and animals that she cherished. She inspired everyone around her to be curious, enlightened, and creative. A true force of nature, her presence in our lives will be missed beyond words.
Details for a memorial celebration are being discussed and will be forthcoming. In lieu of flowers, we invite you to honor Bette’s memory by supporting a place dear to her heart: The Carousel of Happiness (https://carouselofhappiness.org/once-donate) or to your favorite animal rescue organization, in her name.
