COLUMBUS
Douglas Gary Otto, age 81, passed away peacefully on January 12, 2023. Doug was a devoted
husband, father, grandfather, friend and community advocate. He will be greatly missed by
many.
Doug was born on March 11, 1941 in Wheeling, West Virginia, the only child of Jacob and
Geraldine Otto. He graduated from the University of Cincinnati in 1963 where he met the love
of his life and future wife, Carolyn (Hais) Otto. He then began his career as an accountant in
Columbus, Ohio before moving to Columbus, Indiana, where he worked as plant manager of
Reliance Electric Company. During his time in Columbus he also worked as Chief Operating
Officer of Hardigg Industries. He is best known around town, however, for his dedication to the
community during his tenure at the United Way of Bartholomew County. While serving as
President of The United Way, Doug helped countless community members and managed
responses to several local crises, including the Bartholomew County Flood of 2008 and the
2009 fire that consumed the United Way building. During the rebuilding of the United Way
structure, Doug supervised the coordination of bringing 50 social services agencies into one
location in order to streamline resources and provide those in need better access to multiple
service agencies. Doug’s dedication and service to the community was recognized in the
naming of the Doug Otto United Way Center in 2012. He remained tireless in his community
efforts and continued to serve as Executive Director/General Manager of the Doug Otto Center
until December of 2022.
In addition to his many professional accomplishments, Doug was also known for his dedication
and love for his wife, four children and ten grandchildren. He loved organizing family trips with
his children to sporting events including The U.S. Clay Court Tennis Championships in
Indianapolis and Cincinnati Reds games,and later to Boston Red Sox games with his
grandchildren. He will be greatly missed by his wife Carolyn, his son Greg Otto and his wife
Chona, his daughter Cindy Murtagh and her husband Kevin, his son Mike Otto and his wife
Meaghan and his daughter Elizabeth Syrek and her husband Matt. He will also be greatly
missed by his grandchildren Lauren, Alison, Caroline and Meaghan Murtagh, Patrick, Cameron
and Nolan Otto and Mallory, Ashlyn and Annabel Syrek. He was a loving and dedicated
grandfather who loved spending time with his grandchildren through patiently teaching them
how to keep score at baseball games, playing games in person and virtually, and reading funny
stories and poems over the phone.
In Doug’s free time outside of work and family time, he was an avid sports fan, enjoying playing
and supporting all kinds of sports throughout his lifetime. He participated in softball leagues,
created a flag football league and played many rounds of golf. He had an especially great
passion for tennis, both playing and organizing many local tournaments, including the Columbus
Classic professional tournament.
Visitation will be from 4 to 7 pm at Myers-Reed Chapel on Tuesday January 17th. Memorial
donations may be made to the United Way of Bartholomew County in lieu of flowers. Online condolences may be sent to the Otto family at www.myers-reed.com.
