Dear Al and Elizabeth, I am so sorry to hear about Ellis. I can imagine how much you and the children will miss him, and what a void it will leave in all your lives. I do believe the good Lord in his mercy is with you to comfort you; may He hold you in his hands and bring you peace. May your memories of Ellis sustain you in this world. I know there are many. I wish I had had the opportunity to meet him. A truly optimistic person, accomplished and engaged in making the world a better place, his presence will be missed on this old planet.

Dear Inga-Lise, 
There are no words to chase a away the
loss or hide the pain.  We can only offer our own thoughts and prayers.  
Ellis was such an extraordinary person: warm, determined, accomplished and creative.  How rare for one man to be at home in the world of technology policy, the rough and tumble of campaigns, and still leave us all such a lovely book of poems. 
I know how much he treasured his time with you and his family.  He will be missed by many.  

Our hearts are with you, Kent

Dear Inge-Lise,
I am writing to extend my deepest sympathies to you and your family.  I was so very sad to hear about Ellis,he was such a wonderful man.
I wanted to let you know that you have my greatest sympathy, and my heart is truly saddened.
Ellis was more than just a wonderful person he was always so kind and considerate to us that we always welcomed seeing him at every opportunity.  
Ellis will always
remain within our hearts, and we have included Ellis and you in my daily prayers.  May God give you strengt.

With my deepest sympathy,

Joyce

I will always remember Ellis for his wit, passion for life, and love for Inge-Lise.  I am so sorry to miss the service today but feel fortunate that Ellis was part of my life.

Alfred, I remember your father fondly as a man I liked and admired.  Serious, purposeful, and with a sense of humor to go with it.

I gather that you're married with several children.  I hope you're having a good life, and continue to do so, and I sympathize with you for the loss of your father.

Your old friend Jeremy is happily living in Oakland CA, you can readh him if you like at jeremy@bergsman.org.

Joel Bergsman

I met Ellis in 1951 at a Swarthmore College picnic for incoming Freshman. He was a Senior in The Honors Program who went out of his way to welcome a rather nervous young girl,  away from home for the first time. From that moment until his passing we remained close and were frequently in touch by 'phone and letters. He sent me a copy of his recently published book of poetry, inscribed with a lovely tribute to our long lasting friendship. I called him immediately and we had a  wonderful talk. It would, sadly, be our last.
I send my love and condolences to all of Ellis' family. He had a major impact on my life all those years ago and he will remain in my mind and heart for as long as I live.
            Nancy K. Hulme

My sincere condolences to Inga-Lise and family. May God bless you and hold you in his arms when you are alone and in need of comfort. My prayers are with you and your family.

My sincere condolences to the Mottur family. I worked under the direction of Mr. Ellis Mottur while he held the position of Deputy Assistant Secretary at the Department of Commerce.  To the family. . . may your fond memories offer you much solace at this time.

I was so sorry to hear about the passing of your husband. Words cannot express what I feel but know that you have people who love and care about you. Most importantly keep the faith and God will mend your broken heart.
He will comfort you when you find yourself all alone. I will keep you and your family in my prayers.

Please accept our condolences for your loss. Our prayers are with you and Mr. Mottur. 
U.S. Commercial Service, Fargo, North Dakota

"Faith is to believe what we do not see, and the reward of this faith is to see what we believe." St. Augustine

Ellis had such positive faith and he worked so hard to build what he saw; a thoughtful,compassionate newer world.
Knowing Ellis as a close family friend for over 45 years,I don't believe there was ever a moment when he wasn't giving and he Loved to Give. He gave his caring intellect, his energy, his time, his fun stories, his hopes and excitement, and his steadfast love whether it was for his family, friends, colleagues, Senator Kennedy, OTA, to another campaign, the Clintons, Dept. of Commerce, or his many many interests & his practice of poetry, politics, science and technology, art, music, history..

Years ago, Ellis and crew would come to our house almost every Sunday for a swim and barbeque. Even though we were little kids, Ellis talked to us as adults, never talking down but involving and lifting us up. 

He took this same approach with Alfred.  I remember babysitting 4 year old Alfred and taking him on a stroll around their neighborhood. Al began asking me question after question. "Why are there clouds? Why are they white? Why is the sky bluer at different times? When I later told Ellis about all these amazingly sophisticated questions, Ellis just quietly and proudly beamed. I knew he wasn't reading Jane and Spot books to his son!  

Ellis so loved being totally involved and engaged. When he committed there was no holding back. No safety net. He was full steam ahead with determination, tons of strategies and optimism. He believed to that last primary (possibly the convention)that Hillary Clinton would win. He told me, "Don't worry when that Health Bill is signed, Teddy will be standing right there and he will be handed the first pen." The Senator was there in in spirit. 

I will so miss Ellis and his amazing kindness, his gentle mentoring and his devoted love and admiration for my Dad and all of us Fenns.  We dearly Love him and send prayers, much love and comfort to you all.  Love  Anne

I worked with Ellis in a tiny office on the third floor of Clinton/Gore headquarters in Little Rock during the 1992 campaign.  We accomplished a lot from that perch, and many felt that the work to engage the high tecnology community and progressive business community, which Ellis led, was a significant part of the campaign. 

I always enjoyed Ellis' stories and commentary on his long political experience in the Kennedy sphere and in Democratic politics in general.  

I am very sorry that I will unable to come to the funeral on Friday.  Please accept my deepest sympathy in your loss.

Ellis Mottur was my Deputy Assistant Secretary while he was at Commerce.  I am so sorry to hear of your loss.  Please accept my deepest sympathies.

May God and your memories of his life comfort you during this time.  He lived life with a fullness that only people dream of.

My thoughts and prayers are with you.

I worked with Ellis Mottur during his Commerce days.  He was my Deputy Assistant Secretary.  He worked hard at everything he did while enjoying life to the fullest.

I was so sorry to hear of your loss.  Please accept my deepest sympathies.

May your memories bring you comfort and help you celebrate the life he lived.

My prayers are with you and may God bless you and your family during this time.

May he be at peace. Smita, New Delhi, India

Ellis hired me at the recommendation of my grandmother.

About 10 years ago, I moved back East after several years on the West Coast (in Southern California and in Seattle).  After a brief stint at my parents' home in Pennsylvania to find an apartment in the DC area and apply to a few jobs, I moved down here try to find work.

While I was in the process of settling into my new environs, Ellis called up to my parents' place looking to invite me to a job interview in the Office of Technology and Aerospace Industries (for which he was Deputy Assistant Secretary).  Ellis ended up speaking to my grandmother, who informed him that he would be lucky to have me as an employee.

After some phone tag, I eventually had the interview and was quickly offered the job--my first "real" job.  I'll always be grateful to Ellis for that opportunity.

Of course, Ellis found many opportunities to tell the story about his conversation with my grandmother.

My deepest condolences for your loss.

I was part of a team that worked with Ellis during his time at Commerce.  He was a joyful, enthusiastic presence, who seemed to truly love his job.

I'm so sorry to hear of your loss and will keep all of you in my prayers.

But I'm tickled to see he published a book of poetry!  How very like him...

OBITUARY

Ellis Robert Mottur

November 18, 1930 – September 3, 2010

Joseph Gawler’s Sons, LLC

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Services