Condolences for

My sincere belated condolences to the Otto family. Doc Otto was my adviser during my undergrad internship through the recreation program at UWL. He was an incredibly bright light and lived a life of positivism that was reflected in everything he did. His classes were always a treat and no matter how you felt, life was better after Doc Otto made you laugh. He was an excellent role model of how to live and teach. Some people make a difference by what they do, he made a difference by who he was.

I just learned of Bill's death, so am late passing along my condolences. As my swim coach at P.J. Jacobs High School in Stevens Point, Wisconsin in 1963, Bill turn a country bumpkin from Junction City into a passable competitive swimmer. We never won any swim meets back then, but that didn't keep coach Bill from inspiring us to do our best. That guidance must have stuck, because I am a nationally ranked master swimmer who has served on the Davis Aquatic Masters Board of Directors and wrote a master swimming column in the local newspaper for two and one-half years. In one column, I wrote about how a high school swim coach can change one's life. Rest in peace Bill. To the family, rest assured that Bill's legacy in the form of whose he inspired will live on for many years.

I am so sorry to hear about Bill's passing. He was just an anchor in the LaCrosse community. Bill was a fixture at Mitchell.....Except for a few minutes each day for coffee with Batch at Cartwright!! I remember our trips to Millston with Bill Floyd to cut and split wood - And always breakfast at Grandma's! Bill always made us feel important, welcomed, and valued. Mary Jo, I hope and pray that you and your family are doing as well as can be expected during this difficult time. Bill Kirsch '84 & '92

Dear Mary Jo My deepest regrets to hear of Bill's passing. I remember fondly of our school years, and especially walking to school together. If up to him, we spent many a time at the principals office for being late. I hope all is well with you. Sincerely Don and Renate' Hurd

My thoughts and prayers go out to you Mary Jo and your boys at this time. Bill had a very special way of touching everyones life in such a loving way,and will be missed.

"DOC" will always be remembered for his big smile and outgoing personality when I would see him in Mitchell Hall around the Physical Education and Basketball Offices. He was a great fan of our Basketball teams. I have wonderful memories of my time at UW-L and he was one of them. Thoughts and prayers are with his family. Tim Buss 1985

First and foremost, I would like to send my condolences out to the Otto family and most importantly out to you: Mary Jo! As you know, Bill and I had many adventures traveling out to college basketball Final-4 basketball tournaments across the country... Each trip with him and our friends was an 'adventure' in itself, with Bill being there, he was often the one whom people gravited towards... (Mary Jo -I know you can easily relate this concept!) I often look back and tell my friends stories of our 'Final-4 Adventures' together and look back fondly on all we did together and experienced!!! I am very happy to have been a part of his life and for him to be a part of mine!!! To all of you who are reading this: Bill 'Doc' Otto was a great man and a person whom I am very proud to have called as my "Friend!" I realize that as I have gotten older in life, that one truly realizes that life in itself is about the relationships that one builds with other people and for this I feel I am truly blessed to have known Bill and all he was as a person!!! Again, my most Sincere Condolences... Joe Stekel - La Crosse, WI

Final 4 experiences will always be remembered with Doc and Rollo. Doc was always laughing!

I will be forever grateful that "Doc" was a part of my life. First, as a teacher at UW-L and then as a personal advocate and cheerleader. His reference helped me get my job at the La Crosse Area CVB. I will miss you Doc and will cherish the memories I have of you. To your family: May those beautiful yesterdays always remain in your heart, and your sorrow gently fade away.

Mary Jo & Family, you are in my thoughts and prayers at this most difficult time! Bill "Doc" Otto was an amazing man who touched a lot of lives! He will be missed a great deal!

Thinking of you and your family at this time, Mary Jo. Bill did so much for the university and was a wonderful member of the Oktoberfest family. We will all miss him dearly.

Too many fond memories of my years on our "block" to list here. Mr. Otto always had a smile for us kids running up and down the alley and I enjoyed growing up with both his boys. He, like Mary Jo, was an optomistic, happy person who cared for people as well as creatures with all his heart. You will be missed! My thoughts and prayers are with the entire family....

Mary Jo & family, think of all the loving memories that you had together! Those will sustain you and fill you with peace that you will need in the coming days. God bless you. Christi & Tommy Pfaff

Mary Jo and family: My sincere sympathy to you and your family. I worked for 42 years at UW-L in the Admissions Office and had the pleasure of knowing Bill for many of those years. He would always stop in and say hello when he was passing by and after he retired, he stopped over after finishing coffee at Cartwright. Bill was such a kind and considerate man and will be missed by many. We know that he is in a much better place now. God bless all of you. Donna Brown Bangor, WI

I don't know how it is possible to have such a heavy heart and yet find myself smiling at the same time. Every thought of you and Bill fills me with such warmth and love that I can't help but smile.Dave,the girls,and I all have beautiful memories of you both. God enriched our lives when he put the Otto's in our path.Bill was one of a kind and the community will suffer this great loss.His legacy and kindness will live on.You both hold special places in our hearts, and no one could give a kiss like Bill! May you find peace in the days ahead and we LOVE you Mary Jo..God bless you and the boys..Karen

I am so sorry to hear about your loss. Mr Otto will be missed and remembered. I have so many great memories of the Otto household. Going to high school with Mr Otto's son Jeff our group of friends often wound up in the Otto's family room / kitchen on weekend evenings. Mr and Mrs Otto were always so welcoming, warm and funny.

I was deeply saddened to hear about Bill's passing. Our deepest sympathy to the Otto family. Bill was a super human being and a real friend to students with a big smile and supportive nature helping and encouraging us all to do great things. My father "Skip"Kraemer and my mother Jewell were such good friends with Bill's father-in-law and mother-in-law with music being the link as I remember the jam sessions at the Red Mill outside of Stevens Point. As a football player and physical education and health education in the early 1970's major his support and kindness to me over the years was rewarding. He was a unique man in that as a student it was always about what he could do for you and how he could encourage you and it resulted in such joy and good feelings. Time flies by so quickly and the years go by, but as a professor now in Kinesiology at the University of Connecticut, I hope my legacy with students is even 10% of what Bill's was. We miss teachers and mentors of his character and personality and ultimately his caring attitude about others. His influence was much larger and wider then you think. Again our prayers and thoughts are with the Otto family today and we share in your grief and loss.

So sorry to hear of the passing of a good friend, and great man. My father had the greatest respect for Bill, not only as a fellow educator, but also as a friend. Bill always had a smile on his face, and a song in his heart. The last time I spoke with him was when he was in Red Lobster about a year ago. I will miss him, but knowing my father, the poker table will be busy in heaven. Sincere sympathies to you and your family. David & Jane Schein

Mary Jo - You have our sympathy !!! We were out to see Bill twice in the last month and he didn't know us but we talked to him which was important to us. Love, Helen & Les