Kenneth John Ottenbacher

Dr Ottenbacher was my thesis advisor at UB. He was always kind and never ignored his students and I was one of his students. Will not forget his kindness and compassion. Thanks Ken. -Stanley Paul, George Fox University, Newberg, OR

Dr. Ottenbacher completely changed my life.

I was one of his PhD students in Rehabilitation Sciences. He always believed in me, even when the road was rough. What sticks with me to this day are the dissertation meetings we had at the round table in his office. At that round table he treated me like a colleague, and he never led me to believe I couldn't do something. Dr. Ottenbacher was incredibly accomplished. At that round table he empowered me, a novice student, to seek my own answers. He was so wise and so humble.

As I now mentor my own graduate students, I continue to share with other students what he taught me: to believe in yourself. It is amazing what people can do when someone believes in them.

Dr. Ottenbacher opened up a new life for me, and I am eternally grateful to him.

Ken helped me develop my research and academic career. I so enjoyed working with him on projects, presentations, and research initiatives. He guided the field with deep dedication, and created opportunities for young and senior investigators alike. He and his work had, and will continue to have, a tremendous impact on disability research, healthcare, and policy. Despite the large amount of service he provided to the discipline and to multiple healthcare disciplines, he often stepped up to contribute more-- truly a remarkable, compassionate, and wise leader. I will miss him. Linda Tickle-Degnen

Without question, Ken, achieved legendary status as a mentor, investigator, and colleague within the totality of rehabilitation research. His analytic approaches and thorough but thoughtful analyses did much to our understanding of large data sets. Undoubtedly, he was a forerunner to our emerging role in digital rehabilitation science. I sat on several review panels with Ken and shared the podium with him on many occasions. Perhaps what impressed me most was his unique ability to absorb information in a quiet and respectful manner and subsequently provide the most elegant and comprehensive commentary on what he had observed. He will be missed greatly by those of us who had the pleasure of witnessing the scope of his contributions.

Steven L. Wolf, PT, PhD, FAPTA, FASNR, FAHA
Professor Emeritus, Emory University School of Medicine
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine,
Division of Physical Therapy, Center for Physical Therapy and Movement Science
Atlanta, GA

I regret I never got to know my cousin. He seemed a remarkable man, and devoted to a life of commitment.
My thoughts are with his loved ones.