Ewald Justus Otto (1914-1987) Papers

The Reverend E. J. Otto was born on August 14, 1914 in Omaha, Nebraska, the son of the Rev. and Mrs. Ewald T. and Marie (nee Hilgendorf) Otto. He married Etta Wendt of St. Charles, Mo. in 1940. The Lord blessed their marriage with four daughters: Wanda (Mrs. Thomas Spohr), Martha (Mrs. Robert Wavering), Monica (Mrs. John Jeschke), and Gretta.

He graduated from St. Paul's College, Concordia, Mo. in 1934 and Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Mo. in 1939. He has earned the following academic degrees: B.D. (1939); S.T.M. (1958); and M.Div. (1971). He received an honorary doctorate (D.D.) from Concordia Seminary, Ft. Wayne in 1976.

He founded Our Redeemer Lutheran Church of Quincy [Illinois] and served as its only pastor until his retirement in 1982. During this ministry, he was the editor of the Central Illinois District Supplement to the Lutheran Witness (1951-1968) and First Vice-President (1970-1973) of the Central Illinois District. He was a member and chairman of the Board of Regents of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis from 1973 to 1986.

His literary works include sermonic studies for the Concordia Pulpit, devotions for Portals of Prayer, translation from the German of Dr. Franz Pieper's 1888 doctrinal treatise Einigkeit im Glauben, which was published by the bookstore press of Concordia Seminary, Fort Wayne, In. and which appeared in the Concordia Journal of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis.

His civic activities included charter membership in the Adams County Mental Health Society, charter membership and one term as president of the City of Quincy Commission on Equal Opportunity, board membership on the Adams County American Cancer Society, charter membership in the Blessing Hospital Volunteer Chaplaincy Program, membership in Illinois Lieutenant Governor Ryan's 39-member Senior Legislative Forum, and vice-chairman of the Quincy Mayor's Substance Abuse working group.

[He died on July 17, 1987.]