Longtime Southeast Community
College employee and current member of the Board of Governors, Steve Ottmann,
died Nov. 11, 2019, in Crete. He was 73. Ottmann had been a member of the SCC Board
since 2013. Prior to that he taught developmental math at the College for close
to 40 years.
“Steve’s commitment and
dedication to Southeast Community College is an inspirational reminder of the
importance of living with a focus on service, grace and gratitude,” said SCC
President, Dr. Paul Illich. “Steve cared greatly for the diverse student and
community populations and always performed his duties as an SCC Board member
with the highest integrity, thoughtfulness and selflessness.”
Sandeep Holay worked with Ottmann
in the math department at SCC for many years. He said he was very caring toward
the students, and they were always his first priority.
“He was always very
student-focused and worked in the math lab just so he could be with the
students one-on-one,” Holay said. “He was always looking for ways to engage the
students.”
As a Board member, he held a
different perspective since he worked at SCC for so many years, and always held
student interests first, said Holay.
“He wanted to be a Board
member because he wanted to push for student-oriented projects,” he added.
Richard Ross was dean of the
Arts & Sciences Division during most of Ottmann’s time at SCC. He said
Ottmann mostly taught math to the students in the technical trades, and was
good with the students.
“He was always looking out
for the best interest of the College,” Ross said. “He was a good asset to SCC.”
Ottmann is survived by his
wife of 53 years, Judith Ottmann, his three children and five grandchildren. Funeral
services are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Friday, Nov. 15, at Dorchester United
Methodist Church.
“The College and the students
and communities it serves were the beneficiaries of Steve’s desire to thank SCC
through his tireless and noble service as an SCC Board member,” Illich added. “Steve
will be greatly missed, but his contributions will continue to serve the
College well for many years.”
Ottmann held a Bachelor of
Science degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He was active in the
Nebraska Community College Association and the Association of Community College
Trustees. Locally he was a member of the Dorchester United Methodist Church,
the Dorchester Area Community Association/Fourth of July, Sons of American
Legion Squadron 264, and Saline County Farm Bureau.
Ottmann’s family requests
that friends donate blood at the nearest blood bank or make a financial
donation to a future SCC scholarship for local students.