John David Otter

Dave was known for his kindness, loving heart, humor, playful spirit, and storytelling. He loved connecting with people and made friends easily wherever he went. He crafted jokes and puns, whistled and sang, and spread joy, with a ready smile and twinkle in his eye. He enjoyed travel, history, movies, music, and time with family and friends. He spent the last several years researching and writing his memoir, or as he called it, “my Otter-biography.”

Dave was born prematurely (along with his twin brother Stephen, who passed away shortly after birth), to parents Bernie and Nellie Otter. He grew up with his older sisters Joan and Susan and had fond memories of double feature movies at the local theater. He attended Roosevelt High School and graduated from Scappoose High School.

Dave met the love of his life, Esther Birdsall, while a student at Cascade College in North Portland, and they married in December 1966. After graduating with a degree in Psychology, Dave enlisted in the Army and served as a Teletype Interceptor stationed in Germany at Herzogenaurach Base until his honorable discharge in 1970. Dave and Esther loved traveling around Europe during his deployment.

After the Army, Dave and Esther settled back in Oregon, and welcomed daughter Susan in 1972 and son Stephen in 1974. Dave tried different career paths and obtained his Master of Education in Counseling from Lewis and Clark College in 1980. He worked for 30 years in the mental health field, including working with troubled youth, and then with mentally ill adults. This included 21 years with Washington County Mental Health as an involuntary commitment investigator and then as the mental health liaison in the jail, retiring in 2010. He was active in church as a choir leader, elder, and counselor to those in need. He made a difference in countless people’s lives through his love and compassion.

Dave is survived by his wife Esther Otter, daughter Susan (Michael Corrigan), son Stephen (Billie Jean), sister Susan (Don) Coville, grandchildren Ethan and Indie Otter, and Dashiell and Lizzie Corrigan, and nieces, nephews and cousins. He is predeceased by his parents Bernard and Nellie, brother Stephen, and sister Joan Pearson.

Dave will be laid to rest at Willamette National Cemetery in a private ceremony with family.

Dave’s family invites friends and family to join them for a memorial service at Calvary Chapel Worship Center, 6550 SE Alexander St., Hillsboro, Oregon, on Saturday, October 21, @ 11:00 a.m. Please RSVP to family (Esther or Susan) to help with planning.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donating to Reclaiming Hope Ranch (https://www.reclaiminghoperanch.org).