Those who knew Dr. J. Otto Lottes described him as generous, honest, dedicated, enthusiastic and full of life.
On Feb. 2, 2002, Dr. Lottes, an avid tree farmer born in Altenburg, Mo., died at Brandonwoods Retirement Center in Lawrence, Kan. where he had lived since 1997. He was 95.
Well-known for his work in orthopedic surgery, Dr. Lottes was also an avid forester. His land was in the Forest Cropland Program and he had also been a member of the Tree Farm Program. He was known among the medical community for getting others involved in forestry practices.
Over a lunch meeting in 1978 with Dr. Hugh Stephenson, then chief of surgery at the University of Missouri-Columbia, Lottes donated part of his forest land, totaling nearly $1 million, as seed money for a Health Sciences Library on the University of Missouri Campus. Three years after his 1982 retirement, the J. Otto Lottes Library was dedicated in his name.
His contributions reached beyond his generosity. An accomplished orthopedic surgeon, he developed the Lottes nail. This nail, inserted into the shinbone, allowed a patient to walk as early as two weeks after a surgery.
Lottes received two degrees from the St. Louis College of Pharmacy. He then attended Southeast Missouri State University for two years before transferring to the University of Missouri-Columbia. There, he completed his bachelor’s degree and went on to receive his medical degree in 1937.
He is survived by his son, George A. Lottes of Lawrence, Kan.; and two grandsons. His wife, Dorothy, died earlier.
SATURDAY, MAY 4TH AT 11 A.M.
You are invited to attend A Memorial Service and Tree Planting in honor of Dr. J. Otto Lottes, M.D. at the J. Otto Lottes Health Sciences Library on the University of Missouri-Columbia campus Hugh Stephenson, M.D. will be the master of ceremonies A resolution will be read by Dr. Newton White Also speaking are State Forester Bob Krepps and TJ Cooper, M.D. James Otto Lottes II, grandson of J. Otto Lottes, will be reading a poem. Please mark your calendar and plan to attend.