Dennis L. Otto, 73, of Lafollette, Tenn., passed away Friday, July, 15, 2011, at Mercy Residential Hospice of Knoxville.

He attended the University of Michigan where he graduated with a B.S. in engineering and upon graduation went on to work for the Timken Roller Bearing Company in Canton, Ohio.

Dennis is credited with over 38 patents in his name and was inducted into the Corporate Inventors Hall of Fame in 1994.

After retirement, he carried his expertise into photography earning many first, second and honorable mention awards at juried competitions. Dennis grew up in southwest Michigan with a love of the outdoors.

Fishing, hunting, and camping were always a part of his life. As an adult he was an active member of the Wilderness Center in Wilmot, Ohio. After retirement he was involved with Corkscrew National Sanctuary in Naples, Fla. and Ding Darling Reserve in Ft. Meyers, Fla.

He was preceded in death by parents, John and Marie Otto.

He is survived by wife, Susan L. Otto of Lafollette, Tenn.; children, Martin S. Otto of Upper Sandusky, Ohio, Denise F. Alexander of Spokane, Wash. and Carrie L. Otto Gibbins of Knoxville, Tenn.; grandchildren, Kaitlyn and Abbie Otto, and Luke Jacob Gibbins; and sister, Marilyn Christner of Edwardsburg.

A memorial service will be noon Saturday, July 30, 2011, at the Ijams Nature Center, Miller Building with Rev. Gary Smith officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Mercy Residential Hospice of Knoxville, Tenn., 7447 Andersonville, Pike, Knoxville, Tenn. 37938.