Edward William Otto 1922 - 2017

DAVIS, OTTO

Posted By: Connie Swearingen- Volunteer (email)
Date: 8/25/2017 at 07:54:38

Onawa Democrat
16 August 2017

Edward William Otto
1922 ~ 2017

Edward William Otto passed away on Friday, April 21, 2017. Ed was born April 6, 1922 to Ruth B. Davis Otto and Fred John Otto in Onawa, Iowa. He grew up on an Iowa farm. Around the age of 10, an aunt gave him two books that began a lifelong interest in astronomy and cosmology, and the early history of the Earth. He graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Iowa State University in 1944. He accepted a position with the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) in Cleveland. He served in the Air Force Enlisted Reserve, and continued working for NACA from 1944-1958 conducting research on automatic control systems for piston engines, jet engines and rocket engines. NACA became NASA in 1958 where Ed worked until his retirement in 1977. He led the study of the behavior of liquids in space during zero-gravity conditions.

He married Arline Otto, an employee of NACA, in 1950. They adopted a son, Mark, in 1954, and the three of them travelled all over the world, enjoying skiing and golfing at home and on their travels. Mark's promising life was cut short because of cancer at the age of 17. Arline and Ed moved to Salt Lake City upon his retirement from NASA, where they continued traveling, golfing, hiking and skiing well into their 80s. They joined the Newcomers Club the same year and were active members for many years. Ed also helped with clothing distribution to children in need through the Assistance League where Arline was an active member. In 2013 they moved from their home in Sandy to The Wellington in Holladay.

A Memorial Service will be held Friday, April 28th at 10:45 a.m. at The Wellington (4522 South 1300 East, Salt Lake City, Utah, 84117)
Published in Salt Lake Tribune on Apr. 23, 2017

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