Richard August Ottens
Richard August Ottens, 89, a resident of Fort Myers, FL since 2018, formerly of Punta Gorda, FL, passed away Tuesday, March 23, 2021 in Fort Myers. He was born November 13, 1931 in Prospect Park, NJ to August and Ada Ottens, both now deceased.
Richard was of the Christian faith and served in the United States Navy. He was an avid sailor and golfer. He was a gregarious person who loved to laugh and play practical jokes. He was proud of having owned over 50 cars in his lifetime. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather (and eventually great-grandfather) who will live on through all, having shown how to be strong, ambitious, dutiful, mindful, polite, and humble. He resided in New Jersey, Texas, Massachusetts, Iowa, Illinois and in Grosse Pointe, Michigan, before he and his wife Daphne retired to Asheville, North Carolina and Burnt Store, Punta Gorda, Florida. He worked in the food packaging industry, first for Union Carbide, then The Brechteen Company where he retired after serving as CEO. He will be remembered as “the guy everyone liked” and liked to be with. Everyone who ever met him always said how much he or she really loved him.
He is survived by three loving children, Douglas Ottens (Melanie) of Houston, TX, Susan Howard (David) of Cumberland, RI, and Amy Sewell (Charlie) of Tribeca, NY; six grandchildren, Alexis, Christopher, Jacob, Samantha, Raquelle, and William; as well six great grandchildren.
His beloved wife, Daphne Ottens in 2019, preceded Richard in death.
No formal services are planned at this time.
Memorial Contributions in memory of Richard August Ottens are suggested to Cypress Cove Employee Fund, 10200 Cypress Cove Drive, Fort Myers, FL 33908.
Mullins Memorial Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Fort Myers, is entrusted with final care.
I worked with Mr Ottens at Brechteen for several years at a time when the organization was like family. Mr. Ottens was always kind to his staff and took good care of us all. His departure from the company was a sad day for me. May the Lord bless his soul and his family in their time of grief.
I had worked with Mr Ottens at Brechteen for nine years, I have to say he was a great President. He was kind to the staff and was never to busy to speak to anyone that got his attention. I will always remember our conversations.
God bless and Godspeed.