Sallyportal: Madly Blogging Reed

Memorial for Ottomar

By Chris Lydgate ’90 on March 14, 2013 09:57 AM
Professor Ottomar Rudolf [German 1963-98]

We are sad to report that Professor Ottomar Rudolf [German 1963-98], an iconic figure on campus for many decades, died of a massive stroke over the weekend. He was 83 years old.

Ottomar served the college as a faculty member in the German and humanities departments for 35 years. He founded the German House and launched the Reed in Munich program. He was also a champion of music at Reed; he founded the Music Matinee, coordinated the Music Associates program, sang in the Reed chorus, and served on the boards of the Portland Opera and the Portland Youth Harmonic. He coached the Reed soccer team, was the inspiration for Portland Brewery’s award-winning Uncle Otto’s Oktoberfest beer, and served—at different times—in both the German and the U.S. Army.

ottomar_alumniholidayparty2011

He participated in the Oral History Project at Reed, and is quoted extensively in Comrades of the Quest. Ottomar and his wife Catherine were generous and consistent financial supporters of college.

Please join us for a memorial for Ottomar on Saturday, March 23, at 4 p.m., in the Eliot Hall chapel. A reception will follow.

Tags: German, professor, music