THE PUBLIC MIND: DR. THOMAS OTTO SET AN EXAMPLE THAT WILL CONTINUE TO INSPIRE THOSE WHO KNEW HIM

To the Editor:

Early Thursday morning, Thomas Garfield Otto passed away. He was a community leader, learned colleague, compassionate physician, and~~ trusted friend. He will be missed by many. He ~~~~~~~led by example in~ the community by his hard~ work, his dedication and his concern. In 1950, he arrived in Cape Girardeau in the midst of a polio epidemic and formed a clinic for the rendering of outpatient services. He then joined the Cape Surgical Group and became the first orthopaedic surgeon in Southeast Missouri, serving this area as well as Southern Illinois. He developed the Crippled Children's Clinic, providing help and hope to hundreds of children who were unable to use their bodies as their young lives desired. His dedication and example inspired all those with whom he came into contact.

Dr. Otto received his medical degree from the University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada. After service in the Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps he served his residency in orthopaedics. He was then awarded a fellowship to Washington University under the distinguished orthopaedist, J. Albert Key. It was through Dr. Key that he was brought to the Cape Girardeau area. Upon completion of his fellowship, he accepted the responsibilities of full-time practice in Cape. Here he ~~~served as president of the staffs of each of the hospitals, was appointed an Examiner for the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, was elected to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery as well as the American College of Surgeons. He was a member of numerous medical societies and ~a staff member at both local hospitals~. He was influential in establishing and maintaining new standards of care in orthopaedic surgery. This service and sacrifice was an example to his colleagues and his patients. His expertise and physical strength enabled him to identify priorities and keep everyone focused on the immediate task at hand. Through vision and ~~dedication he ~~developed~~~~~~ programs that reached out to many within the community ~~and beyond.

Dr. Otto's calm manner and kindness exemplified his relationship with his staff and his patients. He gave of his skill, improving the quality of life of the children he came to serve, giving them cause to again smile. He spent much valuable time away from his ~family, giving ~this skill and service~~~~~. ~His compassion ~and willingness to serve are~~~ the hallmark~s of a great physician.

Dr. Otto was, ultimately, a friend to all who came to know him. And he was universally admired as both a physician and a man. Tom was blessed with a beautiful, loving and supporting wife whom he met while at the university. She waited patiently while he served in the Canadian Army, worked beside him through his residency and fellowship and supported and encouraged him in his work with the community. Perhaps her background as a nurse gave her an inside understanding of this strong, compassionate, and caring man. They were blessed with a beautiful family, three sons and a daughter, and more recently, grandchildren.

The dedication, skill and integrity of Thomas Garfield Otto, M.D., has set an example for all of us to follow. We shall miss our beloved friend. But the example he set continues to inspire those who knew him and through them will inspire others for generations to come.

Dr. Raymond Ritter Jr.

and ~~Dr. Otto's friends and

colleagues at Orthopaedic Associates,

Cape Girardeau