Robert Benjamin Ott

Robert B., born May 4, 1923, Bob passed away October 19, 2016. Son of the late Ann Hennegan Ott and Ben H. Ott and brother to the late Doris MacEwen. He leaves his wife of 67 years, Mazie Kelley Ott, two sons Robert B. Ott Jr. (Paula) and Kevin Ott (Elizabeth) and 5 grandchildren: Robert B. Ott III, Melissa Ott, James Ott, Sarah Lautar (Daniel) and Rohan Ott. After a stint in the Coast Guard during World War II, Bob returned to Cincinnati to work at the Hennegan Company, a printing business founded by his grandfather, James Hennegan in 1885. Bob rose through the Company, taking the helm from his Uncle John Hennegan in 1969. A well regarded local company, Hennegan also had a long-standing connection to the Motion Picture industry. Through sheer determination and an incredible ability to connect with people, Bob turned Hennegan into a nationally known firm, producing the most demanding, highest quality work for clients throughout the country. The Company produced work for nearly every automotive company, over 80 Fortune 500 Annual Reports a year, fine retail catalogs for Tiffany, Harry Winston, Saks Fifth Avenue and countless others. A major presence in New York, where Bob was a legend in the advertising and print world, the Company had sales offices in several major cities. It was Bob's passion that his company produce the best for the best. But, Bob did all this in his own very humble way. He did it not for his own recognition, but for his family and for the nearly 400 employees of Hennegan, all of whom he loved and cared for. Until his retirement at age 88, he would walk the floor of the Hennegan plant, talking with the employees, meeting visiting customers and listening to them. Most of all, he loved his family, his employees and business associates and the pursuit of excellence. Bob Ott was also dedicated to Cincinnati, a city he loved. He served on the Boards of the Cincinnati Art Museum, The Cincinnati Historical Society, The Cincinnati Zoo, the Advisory Board of UC DAAP, the Art Academy and others. He was inducted into the Printing Impressions Hall of Fame and the Greater Cincinnati Business Hall of Fame. He also won the Corbett Award. Bob was a member of the Cincinnati Country Club, the Queen City Club, the Optimist Club, the Commercial Club, the New York Athletic Club and the Cincinnati Athletic Club, where he swam a mile 5 days a week for nearly 40 years. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Tuesday, October 25, 10:00am at St. Mary Church, Hyde Park. No visitation. Donations may be made in memory of Robert Ott to the Cincinnati Art Museum, Eden Park Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45202. Online condolences at rohdefuneral.com