Harvey B Otterman Jr

Harvey B. "Bud" Otterman, Jr, 85, of West Topsham, died Monday, January 2, 2012. He passed away while working in the field at the home of his wife Phyllis Ellis. He was an active man who enjoyed hard work his entire life. He was born February 18, 1926 in Washington D.C., the eldest child of Harvey B. Otterman, Sr. and Pearl Catherine (Hatch) Otterman. He spent his early years in the District of Columbia, graduating from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1943. He joined the Navy in May of 1943 and completed flight training on February 13, 1946 at the age of nineteen, making him one of the youngest Navy pilots ever. He flew the SBD Dauntless dive bomber. Following his service in the Navy, he attended George Washington University and received his law degree in 1950. He opened his law office in Bradford on January 2, 1951. This began a 50 year career as a lawyer. During his years of practice he was regarded by his clients and the other members of the bar as a skillful attorney, a man of integrity and a true gentleman. He served as Orange County State's Attorney from 1952 to 1958. He was a member of the Vermont Bar Association and served a term as its President. He also served a term as President of the New England Bar Association. He served the profession in a variety of capacities including as Chairman of the Professional Conduct Board. Following his retirement from the practice of law he served 8 years in the House of Representatives and, for a time as Vice Chair of the House Ways and Means Committee. He was civic minded and served the community in many capacities over his lifetime. He was an avid supporter of youth sports and devoted many hours to coaching baseball in the Topsham/Corinth area and hockey in Barre. He was a positive influence on many young athletes. He was married to Doris Clark on December 27, 1949. She passed away on January 27, 2008. He married Joanna "Phyllis" Ellis on December 28, 2010 who survives him. He is also survived his sister, Catherine Peixotto and her husband Roland Peixotto of Falmouth, Maine as well as 3 sons; Stephen Otterman and his wife Maureen of West Topsham, David Otterman and his wife Karen of Orange and Thomas Otterman and his wife Donna of West Topsham. He has seven grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. He was a kind and generous man, a loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 7, 2012 at 2pm in the East Orange Church with Pastor Candace Ricker officiating. Visiting hours will be held Friday evening January 6, 2012 from 6-8 pm at Hale Funeral Home, Upper Plain, Bradford, VT. Burial will be held in the spring in the family lot in the West Topsham Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations in his memory may be made to the East Orange Church, c/o Donna Otterman, PO Box 44, East Orange Road, West Topsham, VT 05086. To view an online guestbook go to www.halefuneralhomes.com

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