Biography: Mr. Albert F. Otten peacefully passed from this earth into God’s loving hands surrounded by the love of his family on October 16, 2007. This proud and loving father and husband, grandfather great-grandfather was born December 30, 1927 in Queens, New York, to Albert C. and Barbara Otten who preceded him in death along with his son Albert F. Otten Jr. While his most significant accomplishment was raising his five children, Mr. Otten also achieved considerable success in his career in banking and finance. From humble beginnings he attended Iona College of New York and went to work for 17 years at CIT Financial, rising to the role of Executive Vice President for Consumer Finance. In the mid 1960’s he became the National Sales Director for Yeager and Associates, an international banking and finance consulting firm. In 1969, Al brought his family to Little Rock, Arkansas, where he rose to position of Executive Vice President for Worthen Bank and Trust. He eventually retired as Senior Vice President for Eagle Bank of Little Rock. Mr. Otten served his community early in life as Captain of the Volunteer Fire Department of Freeport, New York. Later, along with his good friend Frank Douglas, he was responsible for building and maintaining the hands-on model train exhibit at the Arkansas Children’s Museum at the Old Train Station in Little Rock. Al was an avid model train collector since childhood. This once small hobby eventually translated into his 4 term assumption of the office of President of the Lionel Collector’s Club of America. While his train hobby gave him great pleasure, it was the friendships he made that were his greatest treasure. Mr. Otten is survived by Fran, his loving wife of 56 years, his brother’s family, Bob and Rebecca Otten of Middlebury, Ct; as well as his loving children, Dr. James and Vickie Otten of Lawrence, Kansas, Michael Otten of Little Rock, Susan Otten of Austin Texas and Jack and Lesa Otten of Fayetteville, Arkansas. He will also be greatly missed by his grandchildren, Craig and his wife Christine, John Mark, Matthew, and great granddaughter Lexi James. A requiem Catholic Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, October 20, 2007 at Our Lady of the Holy Souls Church. The family requests that in lieu of flowers memorials be sent for cancer research to the Stowers Institute for Resource Development (SIRD), 1000 East 50th St., Kansas City, MO, 64110, attn: Sherry Russell, account number #1735, or in care of Ruebel Funeral Home, 6313 West Markham St, Little Rock, 72205. ‘God doesn’t look at how much we do, but with how much love we do it.’ Mother Teresa Cremation arrangements are by Ruebel Funeral Home of Little Rock. Sign the online condolence book at www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.
This is something I ment to do back when I got the news of your father; however, here I am now telling you how sorry I am for the loss of your dad. My father and yours are close to the same age and I am trying to invest as much time as possible with him as I know you tried to do with your father. My prayers are still with you and your family.
Jimmy