Dr. Otto W. Graesser

Dr. Otto W. Graesser, born on September 8, 1931, passed away on December 28, 2023. A devoted family man and a respected figure in the medical community, Otto's legacy is one of compassion, dedication, and a profound impact on those he served.

Otto, a graduate of the Chicago College of Osteopathy in 1960, dedicated over five decades to the medical field, serving as a family doctor in Lansing from 1961 to 2015. He was a trailblazer in osteopathic medicine, receiving the honor of Michigan Osteopathic Family Physician of the Year in 1998. Otto's leadership extended to his role as President of the Michigan Osteopathic Family Physicians Association from 1994 to 1995, and as the McLaren Family Medicine Department Chair for several years. He also served as the treasurer of the Lansing General/McLaren Medical Staff.

Otto's service to his country included his time in the U.S. Army, where he served under the Army of Occupation in Germany. Drafted in 1955, he served in the Medical Service Corps as a First Lieutenant and remained in the Army Reserves until 1968. His commitment extended beyond medicine and military service; Otto was one of the founding members of the Delta/Waverly Rotary, serving as the club's president from 1973-1974. Otto Graesser was not just a healer and leader in the medical community but a loving family man and community servant. His impact will be felt for generations to come.

Outside the medical realm, Otto found joy in his hobbies—sailing, tennis, motorcycling, and, most notably, spending time with and walking his Old English Sheepdogs. He was known to drive his motorcycle to work and stop for a game of tennis on the way home.

He is survived by his wife, Dianne Graesser; children, David and Michelle Graesser, Steven and Melissa Graesser, Nancy Graesser, Carolyn and Kevin Miller, Cathryn (Caitlin) Campbell, and Charles (Chaz) Campbell; grandchildren, Jessica (Dan) Myers, Justin Sweet, Aimee, Emmett, Mitchell, and Emma Graesser, Lindsey (Alex) Golinski, Lauren Miller; great-grandchildren, Juliet Golinski and Meredith Myers; special friends, Teri Leonard and Andy and Nancy Anderla. He is preceded in death by his daughter, Kristin Grathe; granddaughter, Megan; daughter, Susan Sweet and son-in-law, Guy Sweet; brother, Paul Graesser; and sister, Adele Wycoff.

A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, January 3, at 12:00 PM, with a one-hour prior visitation from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM, at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes Lansing Chapel, 900 E Michigan Ave., Lansing, MI 48912.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to the Alzheimer’s Association Michigan Chapter in Otto's memory.