COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO -- A beloved doctor and former city councilman took his own life Tuesday.
Police were called to memorial hospital about 7:30 a.m. on a report of shots fired. The first officers on scene found Dr. Ted Eastburn dead inside the offices of Pikes Peak Cardiology.
Police said Eastburn suffered an apparent self inflicted gunshot wound. Investigators did recover a gun at the scene.
Like so many people who live here; Ted Eastburn fell in love with the Pikes Peak region while stationed here. People who knew him say he was a talented cardiologist who felt compelled to serve his community.
The ugly tragedy of suicide ripped through the Memorial Hospital community Tuesday morning when respected cardiologist Ted Eastburn apparently shot himself to death.
“Ted was a great person bright charismatic cared about people had a lot to live for," longtime friend and former colleague Richard Skorman said.
By most accounts, Eastburn was a gentle soul; a man who put people first both in his role as a city councilman and as a doctor.
"With his heart practice the same way Ted would give out his personal cell phone number," Skorman said.
Eastburn and Skorman served on City Council together for several years.
"Ted and I when we went through our fire department orientation. He was fearless. He wanted to climb to the ladder truck to the very top. He wanted to be in the high angle rescue in the gurney when they brought him down the cliffs," Skorman said.
Eastburn even ran for Mayor in 2003.
Skorman said he spoke to him recently and saw no indication Eastburn was preparing to take his own life.
"I saw him maybe a week or 10 days ago, we sat down and had a glass of wine together and we talked about politics and Memorial Hospital. No indication that he was depressed or that this was happening," Skorman said.
This is not the first time suicide has visited the Eastburn family.
Ted's son took his own life after returning from Iraq.
“It was hard for Ted. I think it was really hard I think it affected him even this morning," Skorman said.
Eastburn's family said services will be announced at a later date.
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