Richard Keith Otto

Richard K. Otto, 85, died at his residence on June 5, 2021, after a courageous battle with acute leukemia. Richard “Dick” was a godly man of character, compassion, and integrity. In addition to being a wonderful son, brother, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, he was an amazing, loving, sacrificial husband who was dedicated to caring for his surviving beloved wife, Sharon who is suffering with dementia.

He loved his family and has left a legacy worthy to be followed. He is loved and respected by all who knew him. He loved Jesus with all his heart and was committed to advancing the Kingdom—so much so that he has smuggled Bibles into China and many other restricted countries. Dick was a great example and lived out Philippians 2:3 which says, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather in humility value others above yourself.”

He was born December 9, 1935, in Detroit, Michigan, the son of John Walter Otto and Ivy Elsie (Bland) Otto. Dick graduated from East Detroit High School, Class of 1954. Following graduation, from 1954-1957 he served with the US Army where he was stationed in Ansbach, Germany during the Korean War as a morse code/ham radio operator. After the war he continued service to his country in the US Army Reserves for an additional 5 years and was Honorably discharged as a Specialist 4th class.

He was married to Louise Katherine (Obermeyer) Otto from 1958 until 1977. They had 4 children: Steven Keith Otto, Lori Lynn (Otto) Brooks, Jeffrey John Otto and Lisa Lynn (Otto) Hunter.

Dick was a 1977 Summa Cum Laude graduate from Detroit College of Business with an associate degree in Science in General Management. For much of his career, Dick worked as a splicing technician for Michigan Bell.

In 1978 he met the love of his life, Sharon Rose (Clayssens-DeVos) Otto, who became his wife on January 20, 1979. They remained happily married for 41 years until the day of his passing. Sharon had two children: Lynnette (DeVos) Haskins and Anthony (Tony) DeVos. Their marriage created a blended family of 3 girls and 3 boys in which he would affectionally say “we have our own Brady Bunch”.

In the 1980’s, Dick and Sharon moved to Plantation, Florida and Dick transferred to Southern Bell.

Eventually Dick retired from secular work in the 90’s and began his second career pursuing his PASSION - Christian Ministry. Dick became an Area Director for “Open Doors with Brother Andrew” where he and Sharon traveled the southeast United States holding banquets and fundraisers for Open Doors. Throughout their lifetime together, they travelled to many states as well as to multiple countries. Some travels were to smuggle Bibles and other travel was for pleasure. Places visited were Cuba, Puerto Rico, Iran, Viet Nam, China, Cayman Islands, Jamaica, Haiti, Guatemala, Israel, Austria, Mexico, Alaska, the Caribbean, France, Holland, England, Egypt, Romania, Yemen, Germany, and Hungary.

After his 2nd retirement from “Open Doors with Brother Andrew”, he went on staff at Calvary Chapel Ft. Lauderdale where he served in the Pastoral Care Ministry where God used his gifts of mercy and compassion to make hospital visits, perform memorial services, and do biblical counseling.

Upon Dick’s 3rd retirement he and Sharon moved to The Villages in central Florida where he took up golf and pickleball. His most important achievement and contribution that has made a continuing and lasting impact on their community and the kingdom, was starting a satellite church in their home - Calvary Chapel Villages, which is now a thriving church.

As Sharon’s dementia advanced, they relocated to Sarasota, Florida and built a multi-generational home with his daughter, Lynnette and son-in-law, Don Haskins in order to care for Sharon. While residing in Sarasota, Dick remained active in church and volunteered at Sunnyside Village.

Dick had a wonderful sense of humor, natural warmth, and wit. He cherished his time with each and every one of us. He savored his role as husband, father, grandfather. As a family, we cherished his gentle and generous spirit and thoughtful wisdom, his exceptional humor, and his unconditional love for all of us.

He is preceded in death by his parents John and Ivy Otto. Surviving in addition to his wife, Sharon is his sister, Joyce (Otto) Kiser and husband Ken, sons and stepson: Steven Otto and wife Lisa, Jeff Otto and wife Paula, Tony DeVos and wife, Michele and daughters and stepdaughter: Lori (Otto) Brooks and husband Ken, Lisa (Otto) Hunter and husband Tim, and Lynnette Haskins, and husband Don.

Also survived by grandchildren, Stephen Otto and wife Alex, Paige (Otto) Courtney and husband Josh, Ciara Brooks, Michael Otto, Marissa Akullian, Anthony DeVos, Jr., Joshua DeVos, Nathan Haskins, and great-grandchildren: Marlowe Courtney, Miles Otto, Millie DeVos, Zoey DeVos, and many nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 12:00 pm, Tuesday, June 15th at Calvary Chapel Christian Fellowship, 3650 Webber Street, Sarasota, Florida 34232 with light refreshments following. Preceding the Celebration of Life service there will be a 20-minute Military Ceremony at 10:30 am which will be held at the Sarasota National Cemetery, 9810 State Road 72, Sarasota, FL 34241.