Leader Publications

Dr. Ott’s life began on Jan. 20, 1918, in Richmond, Mich., the son of Ferdinand and Wilhelmina (Radtke) Ott.

He was united in marriage to Helen Louise McKay on Oct. 29, 1942.

Dr. Ott,  91, of Dowagiac, was a professor and chairman of accounting at the Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, N.Y., and at Southwestern Michigan College for 28 years.

Prior to teaching, he had extensive business and governmental experience for some 30 years, including Arthur Andersen and Co., renegotiating contracts for the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II.

He was the controller and treasurer of a large manufacturing company for 13 years and owned a business for 10 years.

In 1992, he was chosen as an Ambassador by People To People International (PTPI) to foster contact, communication and exchange of ideas between citizens of the United States and peoples of other lands; to improve individual understanding; to bridge international barriers and to establish a force of friendship to assist man in his quest for world peace.

As an Ambassador, he visited a multitude of countries, including Russia, Estonia, Finland, Portugal, Morocco, mainland China, Hong Kong, Israel, Egypt, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Zambia, England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, Fiji Islands, New Zealand, Australia, Singapore, India, Nepal, Oman, France, Jordan, Iceland and Greenland.

His family includes: three sons, Dr. James (Kathy) Ott of California, Dennis ( Sharon) Ott of Arden Hills, Minn., Richard (Esther) Ott of Winter Park, Fla.; one daughter, Delene (Gary ) Illum of St. Petersburg, Fla.; eight grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

Dr. Ott passed away on Thursday, Nov. 5, at Silverbrook Manor in Niles.

Four brothers and two sisters preceded him in death.

Funeral services will be on Tuesday, Nov. 10, at 10 a.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church with Pastor Jeffery Weber officiating.

Friends may call from 9 a.m. until 10 a.m.  at  St. John’s Lutheran Church.

McLauchlin-Clark Funeral Home is serving the family.

Memorials may be made to St. John’s Lutheran Day School, the C.H. Ott Account Scholarship at SMC or your favorite charity.

Burial will be in Mission Hills Memorial Gardens Mausoleum, Niles.

Please sign his guestbook and a leave a memory of Mel at www.mclauchlin-clark.com.