Carl OTTO

OTTO, Carl Heinrich, Ph.D., CFA
1931 - 2012
Passed away peacefully at the Montreal General Hospital, at the age of 81. Carl was the devoted husband of the late Michaela Otto-Jacob; the loving father of Christina, Valerie and Caroline; the beloved father-in-law of Robert Katz, James McLain and Thomas Gorman and grandfather of Marcus, Luca, Gabriela, Madeline and Beatrice; and brother to Brigitte von Holzing-Berstett, Elisabeth Plug, Hubert Otto and Yvonne Müller. An interested listener who never stopped learning, Carl's grace and charm inspired friendship, respect and loyalty in those who knew him. He will be missed by many. Carl and his wife Michaela emigrated from Germany in 1961, arriving in Montreal and traveling throughout Canada on their honeymoon. They adopted Montreal as their home and later spent more time in their beloved Georgeville home on Lake Memphremagog. They became involved members in both communities and enjoyed a wide circle of friends. Carl was an active and innovative member of the Montreal investment management community with a reputation that extended across Canada and around the world. In the course of his illustrious career, he established numerous investment management firms. As a co-founder of Montreal Investment Management, a predecessor of AMI Partners, he served as the firm's Chairman until his retirement in 1996. Carl was also a co-founder of Penreal Advisors, Fleming Canada Partners, Quantitative Capital and, most recently as his "retirement strategy", Cordiant Capital. Each of these firms introduced a new and innovative asset class to investors. Through Carl Otto Associates, Carl acted as an independent advisor on investment strategy. He has acted as an advisor to the Alberta Treasury; to pension funds; to leading Canadian corporations, foundations and universities; and to Gulf Cooperation Council governments in the Arabian Gulf. He is a former director of the Public Sector Pension Investment Board of Canada. In all his business dealings, Carl cultivated deep friendships and was admired for his brilliant mind and forward-thinking world view. In 2009, Carl's many contributions to the investment management industry were recognized by Benefits Canada when they made him a recipient of their Lifetime Achievement Award. Carl was a former director and past Chairman of the Montreal Children's Hospital Foundation, an organisation that was very special to him. Carl will be fondly remembered as a mentor whose insightful, caring and generous nature helped many find their path in life. The family wishes to give special thanks to the doctors, nurses and caregivers at the Montreal General Hospital for their kindness throughout Carl's illness. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the MUHC Department of Urology at the Montreal General Hospital. A service for Carl will be held at the St. George's Church in Georgeville, QC, on Friday, April 27th at 2:00 pm.