SAD NEWS... Passing of Albert F. Otten
OBITUARY - 10-18-07
This obituary about Albert F. Otten was published in ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT GAZETTE on 10-18-07.
Mr. Albert F. Otten peacefully passed from this earth in God's loving hands surrounded by the love of his family on October 16, 2007. This proud and loving father and husband, grandfather, great-grandfather was born December 30, 1927 in Queens, NY, to Albert C. and Barbara Otten who preceded him in death along with his son, Albert F. Otten, Jr.
CHURCH SERVICE
A requiem Catholic Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, October 20, 2007 at Our Lady of the Holy Souls Church, 1003 N. Tyler Street in Little Rock. This event will be the only public occasion associated with the funeral. Cremation arrangements are by Ruebel Funeral Home of Little Rock. Friends may sign the online condolence book at:
www.ruebelfuneralhome.com
MEMORIALS
The family requests that in lieu of flowers memorials be sent for cancer research to the Stowers Institute for Resource Development (SIRD), 1000 East 50th Street, Kansas City, MO 64110, Attn: Sherry Russel, for account #1735.
FAMILY & CAREER
While his most siginificant accomplishment was raising his five children, Mr. Otten also achieved considerable success in his career in banking and finance. From humble beginings he attended Iona College of New York and went to work for 17 years at CIT Financial, rising to the role of Executive Vice President for Consumer Finance. In the mid-1960s he became the National Sales Director for Yeager and Associates, an international banking and financial consulting firm. In 1969, Al brought his family to Little Rock, Ark., where he rose to the position of Executive Vice President for Worthen Bank and Trust. He evenutally retired as Senior Vice President for Eagle Bank of Little Rock. Mr. Otten served as Captain of the Volunteer Fire Department of Freeport, NY.
HOBBY INTEREST
Later, along with his good friend, Frank Douglas, he was responsible for building and maintaining the hands-on model train exhibit at the Arkansas Children's Museum housed in the historic Markham Street Train Station in downtown Little Rock.
Al was an avid model train collector since childhood. This once small hobby eventually translated into his election to four terms as President of the Lionel Collectors Club of America. While his train hobby gave him great pleasure, the friendships he made were his greatest treasure.
SURVIVING FAMILY MEMBERS
Otten is survived by Fran, his loving wife of 56 years, his brother's family, Bob and Rebecca Otten of Middlebury, Conn.; as well as his loving children -- Dr. James and Vickie Otten of Austin, Texas, and Jack and Lesa Otten of Fayetteville, Ark.
He will also be greatly missed by his grandchildren, Craig and his wife Christine, John Mark, Matthew, and great-grandaughter Lexi James.
REQUIEM MASS & PLACEMENT OF CREMAINS - 10-20-07
A traditional and dignified service was held on Saturday morning to celebrate the life of Al Otten and support his family and friends gathered at Our Lady of the Holy Souls Church in Little Rock.
The eulogy cited his career achievements, his love for his family, his involvement in LCCA and the hobby he loved, and his "collection" of many friends gathered during his lifetime.
LCCA members Mike Mottler, William Button, and Frank Douglas attended the ceremony and offered condolences on behalf of the club to Fran Otten and the family. Al's grandson, John Mark Otten, Jr. (son of Jack and Lesa Otten) and now nine years old, was the nine-months-old "cover boy" of the printed
LCCA Roster, 1999-2000. John was always a welcome guest when visiting grandpa Al and hanging out in the train room of the Otten home.
The service ended in the outdoor courtyard adjacent to the sanctuary at the location of the niche where the cremains were deposited. LCCA provided a memorial wreath in Lionel colors -- orange and cream flowers with a dark blue ribbon. It was displayed near the niche.