Otto Laster

Otto Laster, 97, passed away at home in Westerville, Ohio, on January 4, 2026. Born on July 28, 1928, in Sniatyn, Poland, to Regina and Mendel Laster, Otto’s life was a remarkable journey of optimism, resilience, and achievement.

He grew up in Storojinet, Romania, surrounded by a loving family and enjoyed a happy childhood savoring delicious food, playing soccer, chess, and cards with his beloved grandmother, raising pigeons, and going to movies.

During World War II, his family was deported to a concentration camp in Berschad, Ukraine. After surviving the Holocaust, Otto left Eastern Europe and moved to Austria to continue his studies. He received an electrician diploma from Salzburg Trade School and attended the Graz Institute of Technology.

In 1950, Otto was sponsored by the Columbus, Ohio Jewish community and immigrated to the United States under the Displaced Persons Act of 1948. He continued his education at The Ohio State University, earning two electrical engineering degrees. Otto conscientiously worked as an electrical engineer for 38 years at Rockwell International and Battelle Research Institute.

In 1971, Otto married Janet Fentress, and they enjoyed 55 years of partnership and adventure. They traveled the world together, including all 50 states and four driving trips through Canada and Alaska. Otto was an involved and supportive father of their two daughters, cheering for them at swim meets and tennis matches, serving as Indian Princess Chief, volunteering as a swim referee, and coaching Olympics of the Mind. He loved spending time with his children, sons-in-law, and grandchildren, especially watching their sports and musical activities.

Otto found joy in playing tennis with his Champions Tennis Club buddies; cheering for the Buckeyes; square dancing with Orbiting Squares and Westerville Promenaders; going to concerts and musicals; hiking with Arc of Appalachia; delivering Giving Tree gifts; taking care of his home and yard; feeding the backyard birds; playing bridge at the Westerville Senior Center; buying and eating fresh fruit; and making sweet treats for family and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his Margulies and Laster grandparents, brother Rudi Laster, and aunts and uncles. Left to cherish his memory are his wife Janet Laster; children Lisa (Craig) Kelley and Lori (Todd) Earls; grandchildren Emma and Evan Kelley and Brayden and Griffin Earls; brother Martin (Remi) Laster; and cousins in France and Israel. He will be missed by his Rockwell, tennis, and bridge friends and all who knew and loved him.

Otto was grateful for the healthcare professionals who helped him live a long, healthy life and his hospice nurses who lovingly cared for him during his last months dealing with lung cancer. In his final caring act, he donated his body to The Ohio State University College of Medicine, where he will teach future medical practitioners.

A celebration of Otto’s life will be held on Sunday, February 1, 2026, from 2:00–4:00 p.m. at the Champions Tennis and Golf Clubhouse, 3900 Westerville Rd., Columbus, OH. Visitation will begin at 2:00 p.m., followed by a celebration of life at 3:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Arc of Appalachia (https://www.arcofappalachia.org/), JewishColumbus (https://jewishcolumbus.org/), Trinity Health at Home – Mt. Carmel Home Care (https://donate.trinityhealthathome.org/), or Champions Champ Camp.

Otto was beloved for his optimism, patience, competitive spirit, generosity, resilience, industriousness, and the unconditional love and care he showed to all.