John Christopher Ottinger
July 5, 1937 - July 1, 2014

"My fine brother would have been 82 this day. As I swam this afternoon, I remembered all the wonderful adventures we shared, the letters we wrote, the laughs we had. "

"Happy birthday Moka:) Wish we were at Madeline island together. You will always be my favorite mate. I would bring you soft shell crabs -all crispy with nice crunchy legs to nibble and moist interior. Yum!!! I will always love love youuu. MsP"

"Your birthday, John, you would be 80 years old."

"Wish you were still here with me. I miss you more than ever. Love you millions your ms P I am looking for the moon, I would dance with you tonight, I am running through the shadows -looking for the moon and you."

"Three years on, and I'm still missing the man."

"Wow Moka so much you would have had to say about things being the political animal you were. I am very worried! Wish you were with me now. Millions of elephants. your Ms P."

"Ten million elephants Moka. Love you forever. Sad you are not here with me in our cozy little home. Ms P 2017 without you:("

"Moka, You were one in a million. I am still remembering all the things you taught me. Making and listening to music, so many things. Miss you more than ever. Millions of elephants Moka. Your Ms P:)"

"Hi Moka, Wish we were headed out on another adventure in Rialta. Remember New Foundland, Canadian Rockies, birds in Arizona. Elephants Moka. Your Ms P"

"Hi Moka, You were my best friend always, miss our conversations and travels. you were a great husband to me. millions of elephants Ms P"

"Sparky and I went kayaking for you tonight. That's what the three of us would have done. It was warm and pretty but we missed you as always. Love you so much Moka!!Happy Birthday. John Ottinger born in the French Hosp. (same as Pete Seeger) July 1 1937 N.Y City. Ten million elephants Ms P"

"All my best memories are of our life together. You were the kindest and the best ever. Miss your intelligence, love and sense of adventure. Good times Moka. Miss you so. Ms P"

"Fondly remembering my wonderful, much-missed brother on this day. "

"John, I sure wonder what you would have to say about the current state of things."

"There's no one else like you Moka!! Love you forever. Ms P."

"Remembering our wedding week on Madeline Island SOOO much fun, so many birds!! 21 (+10) Have never found as good a birder as you. Missing you, your voice, your happiness. Forever Moka!!! Elephants. MsP"

"I loves you so much Moka forever MsP"

"Will miss you and love you always Moka, You could light up any room and knew so much. A wise and wonderful man. Millions of elephants Moka. Your Ms P "

"Miss your support so much. Miss you so much. You were the most mature person I've ever known. Still love you millions. xoxoPeggy"

"Fav. memory of John playing his accordion in the camper on the shores of Newfoundland!!! And John's wonderful voice reading to me on the shores of Lake Superior with me mending out quilt. Great memories Moka. Loved our life together. Ms P "

"Are you here with me Moka?? Did you send all the warblers -at least 100 birds on Friday. Wish you were still here planning all our trips together. Still love all we did and places we saw -so special. all my love ms P"

"Moka -MISS YOU SOOOOOO MUCH, LOVE YOU SO MUCH. YOUR MS P"

"Happy Birthday and a Lane's whipped cream cake Moka!! Miss you more than words can say. you are in my heart always. Wish we were canoeing on Wintering Lake or in Newfoundland or on Madeline Island. xoxo millions MsP"

"Just remembering it's your birthday, John."

"John, One year today. You were my world. Only now do I know how much I loved you!!! All my love MsP "

"It's solstice Moka-miss you more than words can say. Love you millions of elephants!! Your Wm Baffin rose is blooming just like last year. xoxoxoMsP and Sparky"

"I see you every day John. I miss you saying every day how much you loved me. I miss eating soft shell crab with you -it is in season right now! Yesterday our 112th bird flew over our yard -a white Pelican -a sign from you. Your indigo bunting came to say hello too. Your Wm Baffin rose is blooming. Love you so much Moka- Very alone without you."

"Our anniversary John, And such a gorgeous day on Madeline Island it was! Magic all about -and married to a most wonderful guy. Lots of happy travels and good times -my great companion and love. Your indigo buntings are here reminding me of you -lots of great warbler too, just like when we were married. Love you so so much Moka. Ms P"

"Moka, Miss birding with you sooooo much. Love you more than ever. You were the best person I've ever known. I hope your Indigo bunting is here some day soon so I will have a sign from you. Sparky and I miss you every day. All my love Ms P."

"Wish we were somewhere warm looking at birds together Moka!! Reddish Egrets, road runners, paraques, and all the fun times we shared in Rialta. Miss you so much. Your Ms P."

"One true love. I had the enormous luck to share 28 years with the best and truest heart of anyone I've known. Thank you Moka for being my best husband. You are in my heart forever!! xoxoxo Peggy and Sparky"

"It's been seven months, but a day doesn't go by when I don't remember my fine brother and lament the chance to give him a call. "

"Miss you always Moka your Ms P and Sparky love you so much!"

"You are in my heart always. Always wishing we were still paddling, skiing, birding, or traveling together again. You were always the best travel companion. And always my anchor, my shelter. Love you millions Moka. Ms P and Sparky "

"So close to home -we always thrilled with the migration of the waterfowl and here they are -this week the bay filled with 570 tundra swans- music, a painting, a wildness-the sublime. I will be our eyes for as long as I can live and always hold you in my heart Moka. Love you millions Ms P"

"John, You were the best. As I walk along the trails we shared -all blazing with autumn color, copper, flame and gold - I think of us. Love you millions Moka. Ms P"

"John and Peg, We met over genealogy as we share Easterly and Ottinger family in the 1700's in PA and TN. You two were so special to me and we shared friendship and hospitality. I will never forget the great times, the Dutch babies, Murph our pup and your wonderful RV. Please keep in touch Pet"

"John and Peg, We met over genealogy as we share Easterly and Ottinger family in the 1700's in PA and TN. You two were so special to me and we shared friendship and hospitality. I will never forget the great times, the Dutch babies, Murph our pup and your wonderful RV. Please keep in touch Pet"

"John and Peg, We met over genealogy as we share Easterly and Ottinger family in the 1700's in PA and TN. You two were so special to me and we shared friendship and hospitality. I will never forget the great times, the Dutch babies, Murph our pup and your wonderful RV. Please keep in touch Pet"

"I am remembering all the good times and miss you so much!!! Three months without you. Love forever from Peggy and Sparky"

"You think that their dying is the worst thing that could happen. Then they stay dead. "Distressed Haiku" Donald Hall"

"Hi John, Two whole months without you! It seems harder every day -I miss you reading to me and sitting on the porch with the birds and flowers all around us. Too quiet around here without you!!! I still feel all the love you surrounded me with every day. Sparky and I miss you all the time. You're the best. Love you always. Ms P and Sparky"

"John and I met when he enrolled in our Pulmonary Rehab program many years ago. His determination to maintain a healthy lifestyle was an inspiration to all those who attended the same program. John was an inspiration to many who worked with him as well. He and I kept in touch on and off over the years. I am saddened by the news of his death yet know how fully he lived life. It is with admiration I will remember John. Peggy, I know you miss him dearly. How blessed to have had such a wonderful partner in life! "

"John -one month today. I miss you more all the time -esp. the good times we had. We have lots of flowers and butterflies and would be getting ready to go to Big Bay for my birthday. So much fun swimming and biking on Madeline. Remember the bear that followed you to our camp. How about the gull that spent the afternoon with us in our own little rocky cove. Love you so much. Ms P."

"Many of my brothers' friends have commented on John's wit, intelligence, eclecticism, and so forth. If I may add some meat to those bones....John was a prolific reader: he was the only non-academic I've known who read all seven volumes of Proust's "Remembrance of Things Past"; he loved T.S. Eliot, particularly "The Four Quartets," Eliot's most obscure work in my opinion, and could quote whole sections (and, alas, often did!); he read all of Faulkner's novels, not in the order of the narrative, but in the order Faulkner wrote them, and claimed, teasingly, that only one who did that could seriously talk Faulkner; a friend wrote a few days ago, saying, "John was the only person I know who not only read Oswald Spengler's "Decline of the West" but understood it"; and on and on. When, back in the late 80s I decided to put together a course in American Environmental Literature, John remarked that I should include Gilbert White. "Who?" I asked -- and soon I became a fan of White and he wound up in the syllabus. John adored Wally Stegners' works, and had a long shelf of his books, all of 'em read, digested, remembered, and recommended. Soon Stegner joined White in the course too. We shared an abiding interest in polar exploration, and John's shelf grained under that collection. Music, politics, and especially history took up fair shares of other shelves. His love and knowledge of films, mostly of the 40s and 50s, was truly impressive as well. To say I'll miss these conversations is an understatement of colossal proportions. "

"One week today John -seems like forever. You will always be the best thing that ever happened to me. You gave me all my happy years. Thanks so much. Love you millions of elephants!!!! MsP "

"I met John on the COPD Message Board, and we discovered through email and phone calls that I had gone to high school with Peggy, and we shared a love of Door County. Besides his wit and intelligence, he was one of the most caring and courageous people I have known; I only wish I could have met him in person. Peggy, you have had your own illnesses to deal with, but you two were always there for each other--what a love story! Peggy, if you ever want to get away to Door County, you always have a place to stay!"

"We knew John as a friend for many years, and we always enjoyed is intellectual curiosity and sense of humor. It was unfortunate that someone who liked adventure, travel, and bird watching around the world had to be confined within a short distance from home because of his illness. We observed how Peggy fiercely protected his health and tried to make his quality of life as good as it could be with a beautiful yard that drew in birds for entertainment. John was a naturally upbeat person who also enjoyed the sit-down pleasures reading and conversing. We often said, when we heard someone offering a humorous pun "That sounds like a pun that John would have made." It was amazing to see how John lived through his illness with so little complaining and how he and Peggy enjoyed their companionship until the very end. ":Bravo" to Peggy for keeping him for us as long as possible. We will miss him very much."

"I have known John for several years from the COPD forum. When I found that he lived in Madison, we emailed for a while, exchanging memories of Madison past and present. I was born there and most my years there were when I was young, and later vacations on Lake Wisconsin. I was glad to have him as a friend. He was so knowledgeable and kind in sharing on COPD. My deepest sympathy to Peggy and all his family and friends. Very nice article written about him. "

"I met John in the mid 70s at badger cab. He was a gruff yet fair dispatcher that really knew his stuff. Low and behold, 20 years later I took up Irish Music and a co-musician recognized me as one of his drivers from years before. It was John and the start of 10 years of playing wonderful house sessions of Irish music. He was never gruff once I got to know him better, but instead funny, well versed in world events, and welcoming and patient with newer musicians. Peggy and my late wife became best friends too. When I lost interest in music, I lost touch with John and Peggy, but I sure enjoyed that music era, and John and Peggy friendship."

"I'm very sorry for your loss Peggy. I met John at your retirement get together. It sounds as if you enjoyed much of the ensuing time together. I hope you find solace in the wonderful memories of your life together."

"Thank you, John and you will be dearly missed and always remembered as one of the best dispatchers ever and for always being there for others and assisting with RSVP over the years! Thank you for speaking out on many issues in your lifetime and your strong support as a life long Democrat and belief in the seperation of church and state. Rest In Peace, dear friend. Peggy we send our deep sympathies and we thank you for always being at John's side and he will watch over you forever."

"I met John in High School in Westport CT. He was a good friend and a great organizer. And a much better poker player then I was. We had great times at the beach and at each others homes. He was a great help tracking down classmates for our 50th HS reunion. I can still remember being amazed at the first time I heard him play the accordion. Farewell my friend. Noel "

"So many friends who have written have a history with John going back decades. I envy you, as I only had the privilege of knowing his the last few months of his life, as a hospice volunteer. From our first visit, I so appreciated John's sense of humor, his puns, his command of language, and the twinkle in his eye. We had some great visits, and I marveled at his very realistic assessment of his future.... not resignation, but a gentle acceptance, with an appreciation for the good and interesting adventure that he had, and a gratitude for those who had touched his life. "

"I met John in 1986 working for Madison Police. He was a fabulous mentor and friend. We worked together for many years until John retired. We kept in touch through the years, and I was saddened to hear his health was failing. I had a great conversation with him at Oakwood Lutheran. He will be greatly missed by all."

"I feel very lucky to have known John for the last few years. Even though he was sick, he had a pretty great attitude and a wonderful sense of humor. I'm thankful that John (and Peggy) read my blog while Nick and I were in Chile and regularly left helpful comments that encouraged us to keep adventuring, even when the adventuring was hard. I'm sorry for your loss, Peggy; we'll all miss John."

"I will miss John very much. I'll never forget his sense of humor. It seemed like almost every sentence ended in a hearty laugh. Peggy, I'm grateful to have known you and John for as long as I can remember."

"I first met John when you guys were on Spaight St. right down the road from us. Always so full of life and ideas, he was. Brain never still; always onto the next big thing - but with great focus. He was always sweet to Tristan, too. I have great memories of x-c skiing together in the Middleton conservancy. You both are an inspiration to so many. And even though I'd not seen John for a number of years, I will surely miss him. Thanks for taking such good care of him, Peggy. Our thoughts are with you."

"I met John in 1978 when we were both hired as Madison Police Dispatchers within a few weeks of one another. I got to know him bit by bit and each bit was anew revelation that only deepened by regard for him. For a time he lived within a half block of me and we shared time together. His interests were eclectic and his knowledge about diverse subjects was very broad, indeed. I never met anyone who was more honest about himself than John. Many years ago (at least 25) he told me how the progress of his medical condition was going to play out. He did it with no self-pity and with a quiet matter-of-fact attitude---the same way he actually dealt with the ensuing years. After getting to know him I was not surprised that he built a harpsichord, spotted a rare bird (causing a stir in the birding world), climbed a mountain, researched a war hero relative, or married a wonderful woman. That was just John. . "

"The Ottinger family is blessed to have had John Ottinger as one of our own. I am Gail Ottinger Bradford's twin sister (she wrote a note here, too); we both loved our conversations with John, shared a wonderful ancestor research trip with John, Hank Ottinger and our sister Liz Ottinger Boyer. John was the spearhead for family research; he unearthed some interesting tidbits about our forbears. John and Peggy shared their enthusiasm for birding, so now I am hooked. I will treasure forever the birding book he gave me, and its inscription "Remember, if it's worth doing, it's worth over-doing." John's zest for life, and Peggy's love for and care of John is an inspiration. Bless them both. "

"Sixteen years ago I bought a house in the dead end of Blackhawk Ave. One of my first memories in that house was of hearing accordion music coming from the yard across the street in the evenings. I met John and Peggy soon after. You couldn't ask for better neighbors. My condolences, Peggy. And rest in peace, John. "

"John was truly an inspiration to all who met him. I cannot thank him enough for all the help and encouragement he gave me and so many others. He will be sorely missed. To his wonderful wife, Peggy, thank you so much for sharing him with the COPD forum. God Bless you and be with you and yours at this difficult time."

"To Peggy: The Sesqueezecentennial Accordion Band extends our condolences to you. We so remember John being with us in 1998 when we formed this band. We still play together and enjoy the accordion music. Happy Birthday John--we know you are playing your accordion and the Angels are singing Birthday Wishes on this July 5, 2014."

"One of my fondest memories of John, was when he and Peggy(my best friend since forever in Green Bay), came up to Crandon to visit my elderly mother. John brought his acordian in and entertained us. My mom thought that was awesome. Also Peggy and John's perfect wedding on the shores of Lake Michigan. You guys were so perfect for each other and had so many adventures together, that's something a lot of people don't have. Peggy I know you miss John, but just reach into your memory and he'll be right there.Love always Jane"

"Big day--John's birthday, Stage 1 of Tour de France"

"Happy Birthday John, Sparky and I will kayak with you in our hearts. "Millions of elephants" Miz P"

" xoxox Peggy and Sparky I understand Peggy...............and I am glad you had your friends come over for support as you have gone thru so much and for so long ..........I only wish I could have been to visit more. Now your Mocha is finally breathing easy again...............and so can you as your life still goes on. You two were the best of soul/mates and now John`s soul and worn out body are finally at rest..............the courageous fight you both fought for so long is finally in the past................you both deserve the medal of honor. Peggy we know you carried a heavy cross for so many years and for once it is lifted off your shoulders. I remember your lovely wedding in one ofboth of your favorite settings on the shore of Madeline Island in the scenic Apostle Islands and how happy and full of life you both were.. And all the fun trips you took in your motor home traveling all over the states and adding to your very extensive bird sighting list. And the many good times we had in and on lakes and sailing and just enjoying your wonderful world of nature you all made right in your own back yard We wish you all the best and call me anytime you would like to talk as I love you very much and time will help heal as it did with me and my dearest Anna. LOVE AND HUGS FROM BROTHER JOHN AND PAL/LUCY "

"My best memory of John is swimming off the pier in Lake Mendota one hot summer day. Jim and Sparky were taking running leaps off the end of the pier and then Sparky would swim around to me and Peggy. John coached us from the pier. We will miss his intellect and his heart and his courage. "

"I didn't know John except through the on-line COPD community. His calm advice on practically every aspect of our shared chronic condition was valued by everyone. He will be missed."

"I am one of John's twin cousins (the other is Marilyn Ottinger Keck). One of my fondest memories of John is the 5-cousin trek (John, Hank, my sister Liz, Marilyn and myself) to the "outback" to meet or lfind proof of the Ottinger clan, who had settled in the Tennessee mountains. We enjoyed meeting long-lost kin, visiting old homesteads, digging up genealogy clues in various courthouses and finding descendants of a previously mysterious branch of the family tree. We secured our branch of the family tree to President Dwight David Eisenhower through a great grandmother, Eva Eisenhauer. I remember John's deep, resonant voice, his tall-tale telling skills, his sense of humor and love of birding and the great outdoors. He was courageous in the face of health challenges, and this courage was possible because of the loving care and encouragement provided by his dear wife and best friend, Peggy. It is a privilege to share some of the same DNA with John and Hank, his favorite (and only!) brother. Gail"

"I had the honor of being John's dentist the past 25 years or so. I watched him handle his COPD with much grace and even humor. I always enjoyed his wit and candor. He will be missed."

"I met John at an Irish Repertoire class at the UW. I so enjoyed playing music with him and the other "newbies" to the Irish music scene. The world is a bit darker without John's smile to light it up. "

"I came to know John after he married my Aunt Peggy. They were a great match for each other and I've never seen anyone take care of their spouse as Peggy has; with a tremendous amount of love and devotion. Thanks for all the great stories and music John. See you one the lake. Love,"

"John, you were so much beloved in the COPD community as well. Your calmness in the face of challenges, sense of humor and resilience were invaluable to all of us. Glad you are breathing free and no longer in pain, but we all miss you greatly. "

"I especially remember John rocking away on the accordion with "Josie's Waltz" and other great Irish session tunes."

"John was known as an irrepressible story-teller, a master of antics with semantics who could render a groaner from the most pedestrian conversation. No stranger to the outdoors, he trod sections of the Ice Age trail, backpacked and paddled in the Ozarks and in North Carolina, and delighted in planning and leading canoeing expeditions to remote Canadian waters. Before the onset of COPD, John jogged, played tennis, and held his own on the squash court. He enjoyed assisting Peggy develop her glorious gardens as well as helping plant and harvest seasons of vegetables in their Eagle Heights garden. John's intellectual pursuits were eclectic, ranging from contemporary philosophy to the history of Antarctic and Arctic exploration. No stranger to music, he learned and played traditional Irish music on the accordion and classical music on the piano. A lifelong liberal, John volunteered on any number of local and national political campaigns. Best brother "

"If John were here today he would be out there somewhere on a river or lake with a paddle in his hand with Peggy and Sparky at his side. Love and miss you so much. Peggy "