Ted, as those who know him call him, was born January 14, 1936, in Chicago Illinois to Edward and Madeline. He was enrolled in several schools growing up including in Mexico City for a time. Ted and his sister Joan, ended up finishing their high school years at Wayland Academy in Bever Dam WI. From there he went on to Kalamazoo College, then transferred to Illinois College in Jacksonville Il. With a major in chemical engineering, just short of graduating he was drafted into the army where he served until August 1965. He was finishing his college credits at University of Miami in Marine Biology. While doing underwater photography he realized his passion was for photography and design. He then enrolled at World renowned Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles CA.

After graduation Ted spent a year in Australia surveying for the Australian government. This was all done through arial photography. With that assignment completed, he moved to Denver Colorado to be close to his sister and open his own studio, Ted Tourtelot Photography. His client list included, Tish Publishing, Johns Manville, Vail Ski Association, VRC, and several architectural firms. He was doing photography as well as graphic design and logos.

His career culminated in a photographic book of the old stone churches in Ethiopia as well as depicting Ethiopian everyday life. He is survived by his wife, two children and two grandchildren.