Rudolf E. Ottersen ’52

Rudy Ottersen epitomized an often-overlooked aspect of the phrase “Princeton in the nation’s service.” Rudy’s service was to be the pillar of the small Wisconsin city of Stevens Point for half a century until his death April 30, 2008.

Rudy grew up in North Dakota. He was an Eagle Scout and active in sports and musical groups at Fargo High School. At Princeton he majored in history, sang in the Tigertones and Chapel Choir, worked in Commons, and joined Key and Seal.

He married his wife, Barbara, soon after graduation and served in California as a Coast Guard officer. Thereafter he moved to Stevens Point to manage a department store and then went into commercial real estate, starting his own firm. In the community
he held executive positions in the Chamber of Commerce, United Way, the Board of Realtors, and local chapters of national service organizations. He enjoyed being outdoors in all seasons, even in frigid Wisconsin winters, during which he was an ardent curler.

Rudy and Barbara had four daughters, Gail, Ann, Karen, and Susan; a son, Jay; and 11 grandchildren. The class and the community share their sense of loss.