Otto Vasak

Otto Vasak

May 22, 1917 -February 26, 2015

Otto Vasak passed away, peacefully, on the morning of February 26th, at Paradise Valley Estates in Fairfield, California. Otto was born on May 22, 1917 in Chicago, Illinois to Otto and Zdenka Vasak. Otto, along with brother Francis and sister Jetta, grew up in the suburb of Berwyn, spending childhood summers along the shores of Lake Michigan. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a degree in Chemical Engineering. After working for the Glidden Company of Chicago, Otto entered the Army Air Corps program "Aviation Cadets in Engineering". He graduated on December 13, 1941, the same day on which he married Eleanor Grove, the love of his life. He went overseas with the 351st Bomb Group and became the Group Engineering Officer stationed in Polebrook, England. Otto left England on June 18, 1945, and completed his service as Assistant Chief of Bomber Maintenance at Wright-Patterson Air Materiel Command. His final discharge was in December of 1945 as a Major in the Air Force.

He rejoined Elly and daughter, Nancy, in Chicago where he took a job with Sherwin Williams working in research and development.

After son, Scott was born, Elly and Otto moved to California where he took a job as a Chemical Engineer with the Western Regional Research Lab, part of the Bureau of Agriculture and Industry. Daughters Lacey and Debbie came along in California and New Jersey, respectively.

In 1951 Otto started his 33-year career with Chevron Research and Development. This career took Otto and his family to France, New Jersey, Iowa, and back to California, where he retired as the Manager of Process Research and Engineering.

While living in Moraga, California, Otto was involved in many civic and church activities. He rekindled his love of music by playing clarinet in chamber groups and community bands. His love of backpacking and fishing took him on many trips to the Marble and Sierra Mountains with friends and family. He always caught his limit!

In 1997, Otto and Elly made their final move with friends to Paradise Valley Estates, a beautiful retirement community in Fairfield, California. Otto served as president of the residents' council, joined a writers' group, and played clarinet with the Solano Winds Concert Band. A storyteller at heart, Otto published a book of memoires in 2014. These stories of an amazing man and a life well lived are a gift to present and future generations.

Otto's positive and can-do personality touched the lives of all who knew him. A family man to the core, he serves as an inspiration to those who are following in his footsteps. Otto is survived by his loving wife, Elly, his sister, Jetta, his children Nancy Clemens (husband Paul), Scott Vasak (wife Geri), Lacey Thayer (husband Rob), and Debbie Eakins (husband Doug), grandchildren, James, Stacy (husband Scott), Sean, Christina (husband Rudy), Mike, Ryan (wife Rachel), Doug (wife Sarah), Stephanie, Neal (fiancé Vita), and Emily, and five great-grandchildren, Lilliana, Doc, Jeff, Johnny, and Fenton. His ashes will be interred with military honors at the Dixon V.A. Cemetery. A memorial will be held at Paradise Valley Estates multipurpose room on Saturday, April 18th, at 2:00 p.m.