Edgar H. Otto, 85, Former U.S. Steel Worker

Throughout his life, he relished the challenge of problem solving, first, in the steel industry and later, in a state-funded technology transfer program out of Lorain County Community College, coincidentally named OTTO, Ohio Technology Transfer Organization.

Otto worked 30 years for the former U.S. Steel Corp., including his years at Lorain Works from 1960 to 1974. Later his special assignment work, took him all over the country to steel plants addressing local facility concerns. After retiring from the steel industry, he was asked to come to LCCC to provide technology information to area industries in cooperation with Ohio State University and NASA in Cleveland.

During the early years of his career, he was among many pioneers tinkering with the concept of primitive computer/calculators in the steel industry, designing a computer-like mechanism to assist lathe operators. He received his industrial engineering degree from Carnegie-Mellon in Pittsburgh during the Depression.

Otto had lived in Avon Lake for 22 years prior to moving to Pinehurst, N.C., following retirement and later returned to the Cleveland area for medical care in October last year. He, and his wife, Peggy, would have celebrated 60 years of marriage in June. He was a member of Avon Lake Kiwanis.

A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, May 11 at 11 a.m. at Pilgrim Congregational United Church of Christ at W. 14th and Starkweather in Cleveland.

In addition to his wife, Otto is survived by his two daughters, Sandy Rider of Avon Lake, Patti Kramer of Madison, Wisconsin; five grandchildren; four great grandchildren; two brothers, Walter of Massillon and Albert of Orrville. He was preceded in death by his brother, Fred.

Donations may be made to Hospice of the Western Reserve, 29101 Health Campus Dr., Suite 400, Westlake, OH 44145 or Eliza Jennings (Nursing Home), 10603 Detroit Ave., Cleveland 44102.

Arrangements are by Busch-Burmeister Family Funeral Chapels in Avon Lake. Directions to Pilgrim UCC may be found at their web site : www.buschfuneral.com or (440)933-3202