Robert K. Ott, 50, of Manhattan, Kansas passed away October 11, 2023.
He was born January 5, 1973 in St. Joseph, Michigan to William and Judith Ott. Rob graduated from Coloma High School with the class of 1991. He attended Michigan Technological University on an ROTC scholarship and majored in Civil Engineering. He then served in the United States Army, as an officer, from 1996 to 2000. He served in the 70th Engineer Battalion, stationed at Ft. Riley in Kansas.
Rob married Kim (Gaulding) Ott, long-time Manhattan High School teacher, in 1999. They were a couple for 26 years. 24 of those were spent as a married couple. Their son, Landon, was born in 2005 and Rob’s life was spent sharing life lessons and enjoying activities his son chose to participate in. On the top of that activity list was time spent every summer at the baseball diamond. Whether it was the little league or 18 u travel ball, Rob was there cheering and taking pictures/video. The spirit he carried to each of Landon’s games will resonate in both family and friends well into the future at the college games Landon will play.
In addition to being his son’s biggest baseball fan, Rob loved watching sporting events. Cheering on the Red Wings hockey team ranked right up at the top of his favorite choices in his free time. He also became a fan of local sporting teams ranging from teams at Manhattan High School, KSU, and the regional favorites: KC Royals and KC Chiefs.
Rob’s life as a professional civil engineer spanned over two decades. From 2000 to the summer of 2005, Rob worked as the State Corridor Engineer for the Kansas Department of Transportation. In early fall of 2005, he took the position of City Engineer for the City of Manhattan. He then was promoted to Public Works Director for the City of Manhattan in 2014. He held that position until he passed. He was a member of the American Public Works Association and served as the President of the Kansas Chapter.
Rob’s many career accomplishments include redevelopment projects, utility relocations, expansions of major roadways, collaborations with both state and federal government agencies on projects such as the National Bio- and Agro-Defense Facility, and the Manhattan levee system. He also used his leadership skills to secure millions of dollars in state and federal funding.
In early 2023, a joint maintenance facility, a project he worked for years to bring to reality for members of the Public Works and Parks and Recreation Departments, was opened for use. He was shocked, honored, and most certainly surprised that the City of Manhattan state dedicated the facility in his honor. They chose to name it the Rober K. Ott Municipal Services Facility.
Rob’s love of work did not just center around engineering only. He loved working with his hands and was proficient at so many practical skills. These he learned from his family back home in Michigan and brought them to Kansas. He was the general contractor on both his rental property and his family’s current home. His skills ranged from electrical, landscape, framing and foundations to paint and trim work. If you looked in the dictionary under the word “handyman,” Rob’s picture could be found.
Rob was preceded in death by his fraternal and maternal grandparents, a sister, Karrie Ott, and his niece, Emma Martindale.
He is survived by his wife Kim, son Landon, parents William and Judith Ott, brother Ryan (Sigrid) Ott, sister Jolyn (Mitch) Martindale, nephews Louis Martindale and Brady Ott, as well as niece Paige Martindale.
Cremation will take place prior to the visitation, which will be held on Friday, November 3, 2023 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m .at Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home.
A Celebration of Life will be held the next day, Saturday, November 4, from 1:00 to 3:30 p.m. at the Robert K. Ott Municipal Services Facility, 1000 Levee Drive, Manhattan, Kansas.
A private inurnment will be held at a later date in Sunrise Cemetery, Manhattan, Kansas.
The Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, Kansas 66502, is assisting the family with service arrangements.