Klaus Dieter Otten

Klaus Dieter Otten, 80, passed away on April 26, 2019. Dieter, as he liked to be called, was born in Monchen Gladbach, Germany, in 1939 to Hermann and Gerda (Hanemann) Otten. Gerda was a descendant of the composer, Johann Sebastian Bach. He grew up in Weimar with his mother and younger sister, Ingrid. As a young man, he relocated to Hamburg, where his father lived, to complete his education. Dieter earned his degree with majors in Food Science & Preservation in Ratzeburg, Germany in 1959.

He was a successful and well respected Managing Director in the Produce Industry who managed operations for various companies across Europe, North, Central and South America and the Caribbean. While working in Liechtenstein in 1961, he was presented with a job opportunity in Colombia. He met Giovanina (Gina) Rossi in Cali, Colombia and they married in Oregon in 1964. His career took them to live in Oregon, California, Panama, Puerto Rico, Mexico, and Venezuela, before settling in Florida in 1981.

Dieter was fluent in German, Spanish and English. He loved adventure, the outdoors, traveling around the world with his family, dancing, boating, music, driving fast, watching John Wayne movies, trying new foods and a good glass of wine. In his spare time, he enjoyed working in the yard, reading and playing golf. He was a beloved father and a caring grandfather who will be greatly missed and remembered for his unwavering support, generosity, good humor and kind heart.

Those left to cherish his memory are his loving daughters and sons-in-law; Karin & Nour Sirker and Ingrid & Timothy Holtz, and grandchildren; Isabella Sirker, Patrick Sirker, Adriana Holtz, Natalie Holtz, and his former wife, Giovanina Rossi. The family will receive friends on Saturday, May 11, 2019, 2:00pm - 3:00pm at Kraeer Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 1655 University Drive, Coral Springs where a Celebration of Life Service will begin at 3:00pm.