Charles Edward Ottmers (Chuck) was born to Meta and Eddy Ottmers in Fredericksburg Texas on December 27, 1934. He grew up much as his pioneer ancestors had done - in a multi-generation house without electricity, running water or indoor plumbing, riding a horse seven miles to a one-room school house by himself beginning at age six, and helping on the ranch daily. When the country schools were consolidated In 1950, he attended high school in Fredericksburg, and eventually went

to college, attending Texas Lutheran College and later the University of Texas. It was during these years, taking breaks from school to work with the US Forest Service and traveling from Georgia to Arizona, that Chuck discovered his adventurous side, his conservationist ideals, and a lifelong love of the Southwestern United States, a place he would visit again and again throughout his llfe.

Chuck was drafted into the US Army, served his time, and was heading back to college when he answered a call to work for the Geodetic Survey team that was going to survey the Blue Nile in Ethiopia. Not only did Chuck travel around Africa and Eastern Europe during the years he lived in Africa; he also met and married Eleanor Potter in 1961 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. After returning to the United States, the couple and their growing family lived In Alexandria, Virginia, El Paso, Texas, and Kansas City, Missouri before settling in Fredericksburg in 1969, where they raised their four children.

Chuck worked for the Texas Highway department and later became a surveyor. During these years he also worked on his lifelong vision of returning the family land as closely to its natural state as he could.  He served as Gillespie County Surveyor for many years before "retiring" to work full-time on the ranch. After Eleanor, his beloved wife of fifty years died, Chuck decided to research his ancestry further, and eventually wrote a book about the history of the Ottmers family immigration and settlement in Texas.

Although Chuck fished and golfed for fun, his true loves were ranching and tractors. Chuck was a man of the soil who loved nature and being outdoors and animals and spent his life thoughtfully stewarding the land with which he so closely identified.  His tireless work ethic and legendary toughness have been an inspiration to all his family. Chuck was a faithful and active member of St. Paul's Lutheran church, which his Immigrant great-grandfather helped build, for most of his life. He was lucky enough to take his last breath just down the road from the place he took his first breath eighty-six  years ago, on the ranch he loved so dearly, surrounded by his family.

Charles is survived by his children: Meta Pugh and husband Tom of Round Rock, Carrie Wikander and husband Paul of Fredericksburg, Jeffrey Ottmers and wife Katherine of Fredericksburg, Erika Rogers and husband Rick of Fredericksburg; 9 grandchildren; 4 great grandchildren; sister, Elizabeth Tschirhart of San Antonio and sister-in-law, Sylvia Ottmers of Marble Falls. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife and a brother, Donald Ottmers.

Funeral services for Charles Ottmers will be held 11:00am Thursday, January 141h, in St. Paul Lutheran Church of Cave Creek, with Rev. Clint Pluenneke officiating. Seating will be limited; face coverings and social distancing are mandatory.

Graveside services with military honors will follow in St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church or the charity of one's choice.

Chuck's family would like to publicly express their sincere appreciation for and gratitude to Irene Castenada for her many hours of loving and caring assistance to Dad during his last year. We would also like to acknowledge the work of HCM Hospice; in particular Rebecca, who was an outstanding partner during the final days.