Robert Carl Otto

Robert Carl Otto, 73, of Placida, Florida, passed away on Friday, February 9, 2024 after a long-standing heart issue. Robert (Bob) was born on October 11, 1950 to Martin and Doris (McKee) in Detroit, Michigan. After Bob graduated from Admiral Farragut Naval Academy in 1969, he went on to earn a Bachelor's Degree in Communications and Marketing at Susquehanna University, Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, on a full-ride football scholarship, where he was a running back and defensive back. His team, the Crusaders, were the Middle Atlantic Conference Champs in 1970. After graduating college in 1973, Bob started his first job at General Motors Corporation as Product Distribution Specialist, then progressed to National Account Manager after seven promotions over the course of sixteen years. He was a General Motors Institute graduate; fully accredited college of engineering and management – the West Point of the auto industry. Bob was diligent in acquiring success and admiration in the industry through a multitude of accomplishments. He worked for various automotive companies throughout his career, culminating with sixteen years with Hitachi Capital America as President and General Manager, where he had built a billion-dollar Automotive Finance Division with his core belief of relationships and service levels. Bob Otto was brilliant in business and could command a room with his charismatic personality. He and Ginger co-hosted dealer award trips with the automotive manufacturers, traveling to awe-inspiring destinations, cultivating wonderful life-long friendships and experiences, which are forever cherished. After retiring in 2017, he and Ginger achieved their dream of living in Southwest Florida. Bob enjoyed golfing, boating, and fishing, and the abundant free time of retirement life. After their third Florida build, they had the perfect home and location. Bob was close with his college teammates (fraternity brothers) and participated in a monthly “Crusaders Huddle” via a zoom call, where they shared their lives and relived their college days and football plays (over and over). Bob and Ginger were bountifully blessed in their lives with the most wonderful, loving family and the very best of friends. One of their greatest joys was hosting visitors and entertaining when the opportunity arose. Bob was predeceased by his parents, Martin and Doris Otto, and father-in-law, Herbert Stallard. Bob is survived by his loving wife, Ginger, his two sons, Scott Martin (Emily), and Sean Michael (Michelle) and granddaughter, Savannah Leigh, mom-in-law, Della Stallard, sister-in-law, Nita Stallard, sister-in-law, Cindy Wheeler (Mark), brother-in-law, Steve Stallard (Carla), brother-in-law, Andy (Penny), plus multiple nieces and nephews. Please feel free to share your memories of Bob Otto on the memorial website's Tribute Wall. Visitation: Saturday, Feb 17, 2024 at 11:00am with a Service following at noon.