David Thomas Otto
July 11, 1944 - January 30, 2018

"Hark, now hear the sailors cry
Smell the sea and feel the sky
Let your soul and spirit fly
Into the mystic"
- Van Morrison

David Thomas Otto was born July 11, 1944 in Chicago, Illinois to Walter and Alice Otto (née McNamara).

After graduating from Mendel Catholic High School in Chicago, he joined the Navy with dreams of becoming part of the submarine force, which seemed exotic and adventurous to him at the time. Throughout basic and subsequent training he showed exceptional aptitude and leadership skills which allowed him to choose that path which inspired him. Around this time, he also married his sweetheart Mary Anna Angona in Chicago.

He was accepted into the NESEP (Navy Enlisted Scientific Education Program) which sent him to Marquette University where he earned a BS in Engineering, and then on to Naval Officer Candidate School, which returned him to the Submarine Force as a commissioned officer serving in both the Atlantic and Pacific Fleets.

His career in the Submarine Force brought him to various home ports from New London, CT to San Diego, CA and patrols around the world on several subs, among them the USS Alexander Hamilton, USS George Bancroft, USS Clamagore and USS Wahoo.

He was then selected to enter dive school to join the Navy's elite saturation diving program. Upon completing his training he began the first of many assignments with Submarine Development Group One (ComSubDevGru) in San Diego which served as the home of the Navy's top secret experimental deep-sea technology as well as some of the most highly classified covert operations during the Cold War. Eventually becoming Chief of Staff at SubDevGru, it was during this time that he earned a number of decorations and medals. One of which was for leading the rescue of a submarine crew that was stranded on the ocean floor; as well as many others awarded as part of numerous classified operations.

Also during his time attached to SubDevGru, he served on the submarine rescue ships USS Pigeon and USS Florikan. Because of his background in submarine operations, and expertise in saturation diving, as well as the DSRV (Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle) system, he also served as part of a team of Naval advisors on the motion picture The Hunt for Red October.

He eventually took over the helm as Commanding Officer of the USS Ortolan. As the ship's Captain, he not only overhauled the entire vessel to bring it up to certification standards for the first time (a hefty task in and of itself), he also earned media attention as he led the ship and it's crew on the Titanic expedition where he worked with noted oceanographer Dr. Robert Ballard on the discovery and exploration of the wreckage of the ill-fated ocean liner.

After his last tour with Submarine Development Group, he took up the position of Executive Officer on the USS Dixon where he repeated his success of helping to make another significant ship seaworthy and battle ready in time for it's tenure in the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Desert Storm.

Though he enjoyed a long career of distinction with the Navy, his greatest accomplishment and even greater source of joy, was his family. He enjoyed nothing more than spending time surrounded by loved ones… whether it be on road trips, backyard barbecues, or just taking walks together around Lake Murray.

He was an avid builder, woodworker, and accomplished furniture maker who took great pleasure in projects both great and small; from home building and renovation with his children, to making fun gadgets and designs in his woodshop with his grandkids. He loved creating things with and for those that he cherished.

He will be remembered as a humble, witty and generous spirit with a warm smile and dry playful sense of humor… always ready with a clever quip, often at his own expense. A voracious reader who oft quoted Twain and Einstein among others, consumed volumes on science and was even more passionate about the study of history. A loyal and lifelong Chicago Cubs fan. A fitness enthusiast and athlete who, until recently, kept very active physically by playing competitive racquetball, working out daily, and enjoyed exploring the outdoors in wilderness areas on family camping trips.

After a lengthy and hard fought battle with cancer, he passed on January 30th at his home in San Diego while surrounded by his adoring family. Even in his last days, he repeatedly expressed gratitude for everything life has brought him, his love for his family, and he never missed an opportunity to make them laugh.

He is survived by his wife Mary Anna, their four children David Jr, Mary Gomez-España (Javier), William (Michelle), and Jodi Perez (Aurelio); and six grandchildren Tomas, Eva, Augustus, Ella, Matias, and Dylan.

He is also survived by his brother William (Jan), sister Mary Alice Carlberg; as well as numerous nieces and nephews, all of whom loved and admired him.

He is preceded in death by his parents, and his brother Thomas Otto (#50659831).

Memorial services will be held on Thursday February 22 at 12 noon at Miramar National Cemetery in San Diego.

[Source: Beardsley-Mitchell Funeral Home, San Diego, CA]