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Dr. David Arthur Otto
Dr. David Arthur Otto, formerly of Fort Scott, Kan., passed away Jan. 15, 2014, in Charlotte, N.C. He was born in Fort Scott, Kan., Feb. 19, 1934 to Clifton Crain Otto and Marie Armentia (Dellinger) Otto.
He graduated from Fort Scott High School in 1952. He received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Biology in 1956 from the University of Kansas, a Master of Science Degree in Biology from Emporia State University in 1957 and a Ph.D. Degree in Botany (Paleobotany) from the University of Missouri in 1967. Dr. Otto was a professor in the Science Department of Stephens College, Columbia, Mo., for 38 years. Acquiring new knowledge and teaching was as much an avocation as a career. He created many new courses and programs, including a marine biology program that took him and his students to the Florida Keys in summer months to study marine life. Dr. Otto was an avid student and teacher his entire life, traveling extensively just to "see what was over the next hill." Dr. Otto was a man of many talents; he was a scientist, a scholar, a teacher, a carpenter and an "ambassador." He was a lover of music, particularly, classical music, and had a wit second to none. He also served 10 years in the USNAR. To say that he loved life is an understatement of the truth and no day had enough hours in it for him to accomplish all that he wanted to accomplish. His very positive attitude that he "could move mountains" is well known. Clearly, he was an inspiration to the many who knew him.
During the Vietnam War, Dr. Otto organized a private group that traveled to Paris, France to meet with representatives of the Viet Cong and the North Vietnamese to ask for better treatment for POWs. Dr. Otto also represented the Missouri State Teacher's Association during this endeavor. The Viet Cong, surprisingly enough, acknowledged that they did have prisoners and requested that Dr. Otto report this information to Washington, DC. On his return from Paris, he debriefed in the Pentagon and reported to Congress during official hearings as regards the POW problem
After his retirement from Stephens College in 1995, Dr. Otto and his wife, Elizabeth, moved to Murietta, Calif., "to grow oranges in their back yard." They also lived in Kingman, Ariz., for two years, before finally settling in Fort Mill, S.C. in 2006. After his retirement and continuing until his death, Dr. Otto and Elizabeth spent much time in genealogical research in order to give their families a sense of their ancestry. Both Dr. Otto and Elizabeth demonstrated great prowess as genealogical researchers, amassing an enormous quantity of genealogical research data. Both, together, were world travelers.
In 1954, he married Donna Kay Walker, formerly of Fort Scott, Kan.; they divorced in 1981. Three children were born to this marriage. He married Elizabeth Beil Rehling, formerly of Millstadt, Ill., in 1985. Surviving are his wife, Elizabeth, of Fort Mill, S.C.; his children: Tamara Annette (Otto) Crowley (Randy), Mark David Otto and Kurt Erich Otto (Ginger), all of Columbia, Mo.; a stepson: Timothy Rehling (Laura) of St. Charles, Mo.; eight grandchildren: Randy Crowley, Jr. (Brittany), Brett Crowley (Traci Fleenor), Kayla Otto (Matt Woolridge), Erich Otto, Anna Otto, all of Columbia, Mo., Aaron LeMoine of Branson, Mo., Mitchell Rehling and Alexis Rehling, of St. Charles, Mo.; three great- granddaughters, all of Columbia, Mo.; a sister, Marie Annette (Otto) Kliewer (Duane), of Omaha, Neb.; nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Pastor Marvin George will conduct funeral services 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25, 2014 in Fort Scott, Kan., at the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home with burial following at the Evergreen Cemetery. Any memorial contributions honoring Dr. Otto's life should be made to biological scholarship programs at KU, UMC, or ESU and may be left in care of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall Street, P.O. Box 309, Fort Scott, KS 66701. Condolences may be emailed to expressions@konantz-cheney.com.