Robert M. Otto

OTOO, CUSTIS, CANTRELL, DEGRANDIS, HEISLER

Posted By: Sarah Fletcher (email)
Date: 1/9/2020 at 15:57:16

Robert M. Otto, 78, passed away Monday, January 6, 2020 at Mercy Iowa City.
Funeral Services will be held at 10 AM Saturday, January 11, 2020 at Lensing’s Oak Hill, 210 Holiday Road Coralville, Iowa 52241. Interment will follow at Oakland Cemetery Iowa City.
Robert was born January 1, 1942 in Iowa City, the son of Max R. and Esther Custis Otto.
Bob as he preferred to be called was the New Year’s Baby of 1942 making the cover of the Iowa City Press Citizen. Bob was industrious and his first job was delivering the Press Citizen on route 82 which included Benton Street west of the river and most of the side streets. Bob graduated from Iowa City High School in 1960 and was a member of the National Honor Society. He also worked at Riverside Shell gas station on Riverside Drive, while in high school. He started at the University of Iowa in the fall of 1960. Bob joined the Naval Reserve, serving in active duty in Morocco for two years. Upon returning from military service Bob completed his BA in Business Administration. He attended law school at Drake University and graduated with a JD in 1971. He actively practiced law for several years before venturing into several interesting and varied occupations. He finished his career as a clerk in the Johnson County Attorney’s Office.
Bob never married. He had two great loves. First was Scouting. He rose through the ranks of cub scouts, scouts and explorers to attain the highest rank available Eagle Scout. He was also a scout master and led Troop 214 and one other troop to summer camp, several jamborees, and trips to Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico. He was always a scout at heart.
His other great love was contract bridge. He learned to play contract bridge in the fall of 1962 and pursued it with great intensity for the next 58 years attaining the rank of Platinum Life Master last year with more than 10,000 master points. He loved to teach bridge to new players. He started several contract bridge clubs in the Iowa City area.
His two loves have made him many friends locally and nationally. Except for several moves as a child, the two years in Morocco and the three years in Des Moines Bob lived in Iowa City. From 1947 to 2017 he lived at the family home on the top of Benton Street across from Roosevelt School.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Max in 1987and Esther in 2016. His brother William R. Otto Sr. of Conway, Arkansas passed in 2013.
He is survived by his brother Donald J. (Donna) Otto of Knoxville; his sister in law Patsy Cantrell Otto of Conway, Arkansas; two nephews, William R. Otto Jr. and Bryant C. Otto of Conway, Arkansas and two nieces; Tracy (Marques) DeGrandis of Waunakee, Wisconsin; Stacy (Jason) Heisler of North Liberty; and four grand nieces, Nina and Ella DeGrandis of Waunakee; Shelby and Sadie Heisler of North Liberty. He is also survived by several cousins on the Custis side and one cousin on the Otto side.

Lensing Funeral & Cremation Service
 

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