Ralph Otto Obituary

I was a patient of Dr. Otto, it´s been 17 years on this day that he gave me a new start on life with his skilled hands and mind. I will forever be grateful Dr. Otto and look forward to seeing you again. God is so so good

To the Otto family. I was a patient of your father and was very sad to hear about his passing. He saved my life. Now words can express what all of you are going thru. Every time i have to show my card with the valve replacemnt his name is on their along with the hospital I think of him and what he would say to me keep on fighting to live your best life. Now only did we lost a great doctor but a great dad to all of you. it will not be the same that he is gone now but he is in our hearts...
Karen Jones
Northfield, Il

To the Otto family: I was very saddened to read about your father, Ralph. I was a foreign student at Wartburg and your dad really helped me a lot. We were in pre med and so I got a lot of help from him. Last saw him and your mom in Chicago late 1980's ate supper at Hyatt byu the Park - he was truly a great man, a great CV surgeon - I went on to become a pathologist - will always remember him with great fondness. Noel Florendo (Memphis, TN).

My wife and I were saddened by the news of Dr. Otto's death. When I needed open heart surgery 15yrs. ago Dr. Otto was the most highly recommended surgeon. Not only was he a skilled surgeon but a wonderful person as well. I am now almost 83 and still going strong as a result. Then 3 years ago my wife developed a cancerous tumor in the Thymus. We were reassured when we heard that Dr. Otto would be performing this surgery. My wife is also doing well. Dr. Otto has given us many extra years of good health. For that we are ever so grateful and priveleged to have had him touch our lives. If anyone was deserving of a long and happy life it was Dr. Otto and our sincere condolences go out to his family and the community he served.

To all the Otto family: I am so very sad to hear of the death of your dad. I worked in the SHU at St. Francis from 1978 to 1984 when I moved to Florida. Dr. Otto was the kindest and most gentle surgeon I have ever worked with and it was my pleasure to be associated with such a great man. He was an excellent surgeon and I feel fortunate to have known and worked with him. He always had a smile on his face and was most patient even during trying times. The patients and families loved him so. He is one physician I will never forget. My prayers are with you all. God will keep your dad in his graces always. Sincerely, Candice Kochounian

On behalf of The Chest Club, I want to send my sincere condolences.

I had the pleasure of working with your dad at St. Francis Hosp. I graduated from St. Francis and was brand new nurse on floor, he always was very nice and always made us feel comfortable and not to be nervous. Then I had the awesome experience to work with him in the SHU. When pts. would ask me (on the night shift ) are they doing the "right thing" I would always tell them , there is only one doctor I would let do bypass surgery on my mom or dad and that was of coarse your dad , I would say Dr. Otto!!

God Bless and we are very sad to hear of such a great loss!!

Your father saved my life in 1997 and was one of the nicest doctors I ever had. I am now 92 and was unable to get to the services but know that he did an immeasurable amount of good. I am sorry for the loss of both of your parents.

Dearest Family.
My heart is heavy with grief over the loss of a larger than life man. Although I worked for him, and CSA, for a little over a year, I always looked forward to seeing his bright smiling eyes and hearing that laugh of his. Although when he said 'jump' there was never any doubt but to ask 'how high'?
Dr. Otto, may you forever be in your beloved sky...

I was deeply saddend to hear of the passing of your father, Dr. Otto as I knew him. Just a little tidbit: On the eve of 6/27/08 he walked into my room before he went home for the evening, to reasure my family and I of the operation he was going to perform (triple by-pass) the following day. And to be honest with you, until he shook my hand and smiled, did I feel secure. He also told me that his associate was going to follow up with me during the weekend because he was going to go purchase a plane with what he was going to charge me for the surgery, he joked. So I told him, "Only if you take me for a ride in it." He then said, "Sure." and smiled. You have lost a great man, surgeon and most of all, a father! My prayers will be with you all, daily. Sincerly, NGBernal

May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well-lived.
As we mourn his death, heaven i'm sure is celebrating. Welcoming a wonderful man so well loved here on earth. I had the pleasure of knowing and working with Dr.Otto in SHU for many years. He will be greatly missed. My deepest sympathy.

Thinking of you during your time of sorrow. Your father must have been a wonderful man - always remember him for the life he lived and what he gave to others.

Bill and family -

So sorry to hear about the loss of your father. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers.

Dear Otto Family:

We are still so saddened to hear of the tragic loss of your father and send our thoughts, prayers and love to you all. I can still hear your parents' laughter in the kitchen as we shared all those memories in their lovely home.

May you all only grow closer and your grandchildren continue to hear about the wondferful example your parents were for all of us.

With love,
The Hull Family

I have thought often of Dr. Otto. He was a wonderful Doctor. He will be missed. God bless him. A former patient.

Dear Otto Family,

We are thinking of you and are very sorry your family has lost two precious parents, grandparents, in-laws, friends. Diane and Ralph created a family full of love and life and a legacy of goodness, stability, and generosity.

Your honoring their memory of love unconditional, care and compassion given, joy shared, lessons and wisdom taught, and appreciation for family and friends is a testament to just how special and dedicated they were to all of you. As time passes your understanding of their gifts to you will increase, and you will be comforted to accept how lucky they were to have had each of you in their lives.

We hope your pain eases gently and you continue their legacy of loving each other and all of your extended family, with little grief and sorrow and with much happiness and celebration of memories past and memories to make.

My sincere sympathy on the death of your father. I gradulated from high school with Ralph. We both lived on the east side of Blue Island and rode on the same school bus to high school. The last time I saw him was at our 20th year high school reunion. As we prepare for our 50th reunion next September we will have a special prayer for all of our fellow classmates that are no longer with us and we will include him. He was well liked.

Dr. Otto saved my life in 2005 with his expert quintuple bypass surgery. He was always smiling when I went to see him and no matter what your heart health was #1 that was his creed. I am going to miss him and God Bless his family in their time of mourning

He saved my life in 2004. This is a great loss. I am a Volunteer at Resurrection Medical Center.

There is a famous line from a movie that "one mans live touches so many". This is evident in the countless lives Dr. Otto has touched through the years. I had the good fortune of caring for many of his patients. It is rare to find a surgeon who is so amazing at his craft only to be matched by his caring nature. I know I speak for my fellow nurses when I say there is a void that will never be filled. Our hearts are heavy but we count ourselves among the lucky for having known him. My thoughts and prayers are with the Otto family. G-d Bless.

Your Father was a unique individual and a great surgeon. He operated on my husband and gave my family many years with him beyond our expectation. I remember Dr. Otto wearing orange shoes, which lifted our spirits at a time of great worry. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family.

My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May the memories of your dad bring you comfort. Your dad was a "gentle giant" in the SHU and OR. Unforgettable.

To the OTTO family:
I had the great pleasure to know Dr. Otto for many years as we were also on the staff of St. Francis hospital. He was a great caring physician and excellent surgeon. My heart and prayers go out to you and your family on this tragic loss.
Roger Nissen M.D.

To the Otto Family,

Your father performed triple by-pass surgery on me nine years ago. I am deeply grateful for his wonderful skills. Though I only met him briefly he changed my quality of life forever. May God take him in His arms and reward him for all the good that he has done.

Dear Otto Family,

I worked with your Dad at St. Francis Hospital. I don't need to tell any of you how special he was..and how many lives have been touched, healed and made well again by him. I can tell you though he made me feel competent as though I had been a nurse for many years even though it was my first job right out of school. I can tell you though that he found the time to remember your name,talk to you about your family, and look you in the eyes..even when he didn't have time. His zest for life was as apparrent as a blazing neon sign..when he drove away in his green hot rod with beautiful silver hair and a smile to match. May God keep all of you close to him, and may your hearts heal.

To the Otto family,

I am another patient of your father. He performed bypass surgery on me. He gave me a new life and I'll always be in his debt. He is now reunited with your mom. May God give you comfort during this trying period.

Bob & Bonnie Sundberg

Dear Otto Family,
Dr. Otto was a wonderful, nice man, and a great surgeon. He was my surgeon, and now i am healthy and living a great life because of him. I'll miss him as a doctor, my condolences go out to his family during their time of grief.
Sincerely, Helen Drewniak

To the Otto Family:
Although we are not known to you personally, Dr. Otto operated on Walter and saved his life. When he came in the room to tell us Walter was going to be alright we believed him without a doubt. One cannot say that about everyone these days, but we sure did for Dr. Otto. What a sad loss.
Sincerely,
Walter and Suzette Atzel

dear otto family:
ralph otto was a great doctor and surgeon. my mother lived another 7 or 8 years because of him. he was a great man. thank GOD for his being here to save my mother. i am so sorry for your loss. take care and may GOD bless you through these days ahead.

Dear Otto Family,

I had the pleasure of working for your dad at Murphy, Otto and Assoc.. Your dad was a great man to work with and always was so kind and pleasant. Being your Dad's secretary I tended to be be liaison between patient and Dr. Otto and I would constantly hear stories of praise and gratitude from every one of his patients. He was loved by many.

I am sure you have so many wonderful memories of your parents and I can imagine how they are enjoying being back together again in Heaven!

Your tribute to your dad was very touching. Please know you are all in my thoughts and prayers.

On behalf of the owners and management of One Willow Bridge Road in Vail, I would like to express our condolences to the friends and family of Ralph and Dianne Otto on their loss. Our time with them was brief, but I know they enjoyed coming to Vail and we will miss the opportunity to know them better and spend time with them in the sharing of their Vail home with all of us in the community. Our sincere sympathy and best wishes go to their children and grandchildren who were always near and dear to them in their visits and always a part of their time in Colorado.

Dr. Otto will be greatly missed by those of us with RHC. He was an excellent physician and his strong beliefs and commitment to the care of his patients will long endure with the young physicians and many nurses that he has worked with. He was never too busy to discuss or educate. His sense of humor and engaging ways were a gift to us all.
Sincerely. God bless you all at this time.

I was very sad to learn of the tragic accident that took DR.Otto's life. I worked with him when he first camr to Saint Francis and we had many challenging times together.He was a true renaissance man,totally devoted to his family. He will be missed 1 My most sincere condolences to His family.

The loss of Dr. Otto is truly a great one. He will be missed by many.

Dr. Otto was a wonderful surgeon and a wonderful friend to all the nurses he worked with in the SICU at Resurrection Medical Center. We will truly miss him. He touched so many lives. He was wondeful to work with. He stays with us in our thoughts and in our hearts.

Thanks to Dr. otto, I have been able to have my husband with me much longer than I might have. He was a fantastic surgeon. Also, and more importantly, he was agreat human . he made us feel as if anything we asked ( no matter how silly) should be answered . he treated us with such dignity . He will be missed by all of us who had the pleasure of knowing him, no matter how short our acquaintance was. Our deepest sympathies on the loss of your father. With sorrow,
Mrs. Linda Chisholm

Dr Otto was truly "a man for all seasons." His dedication and skill saved me on two occasions. May a gentle and loving God give to each of you, his dear family, a sense of the peace he now shares with all who welcomed him to his eternal home.

My deepest smypathy to the Families of Dr. Otto. Having heard of a Dr. Otto, and having the same last name, put me in a position of hoping to never have to meet the man on a professional basis. Well, in October of 2001, Halloween to be exact, I was informed that I required a quadruple by-pass and my Cardiologist recommend a surgeon that he worked with. My wife did not like that idea at all. Dr. Otto had operated on some of her family in the past so she had wanted to make sure that he performed my by-pass as well. I enjoyed meeting him very much. We were the same age, had the same initials and last name and had a little fun with the Nurses. I called him Cousin Ralph and when one young aid asked me if we were related, I told her Oh Yes . . . he's my Dad. She really did a double take at that. We laughed. It's seven years later now and I am still doing fine and alive to enjoy my children and Grandchild, thanks to Dr. Otto. I will never forget him. God Bless !

My deepest sympathy on the sudden and tragic death of Dr. Otto. It was 9 years ago that this outstanding surgeon touched my heart during open heart surgery and ever since then, with gratitude I have held him close to the same heart. My prayers are with the entire Otto family.

Please accept my sympathy for your loss. I wanted to write and let you all know that when you wrote; "to hug your children and love your family" in lieu of flowers, that your father was smiling from heaven above because it is such a beautiful reminder of the things that we all take for granted every day!! Thank you for helping me to remember what is most important in life. May God bless you all in this difficult time.

Dr. Otto was a great man and a wonderful cardiac surgeon. I had the privilege of working with him at St.Francis Hospitalwhen I worked in the Cardiac Cath Lab. He saved numerous lives as well as improving the quality of their lives. He will be missed by so many.

My deepest sympathy in the loss of your father. It was an honor to have worked with him. He will truly be missed by all. Kasia ( RMC )

Eric & The Otto Familiy-

I am so sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.

Best- Jess Walton

Dr. Otto literally saved my father's life 4 years ago by implanting a defibrillator/pacemaker. My dad just celebrated his 80th birthday on 7/31. Not only did Dr. Otto have technical skills, but he had people skills -- my mom and I were very impressed with Dr. Otto because he was able to communicate with us in layperson's terms and was reassuring and compassionate. He was a gift to so many people -- we mourn his tragic loss and thank God for blessing our lives with Dr. Otto. Our sincerest sympathy to the family.