TACAMO Fallen Veteran - Michael Ottinger, VQ-7 XO&CO & served in VQ-4
November 6, 1962 - December 18, 2023
Michael J Ottinger, CAPT (Ret) USN, 61, passed away on December 18, 2023 at home in Washington DC, under the care of his loving and devoted wife Holly Haverstick, after a long decline due to Primary Progressive Aphasia Frontotemporal dementia (FTD).
Born November 6, 1962 in Coronado, California, he was the eldest son of Gordon and the late Susan (Eldredge) Ottinger. He grew up in Mobile, Alabama, where he developed life long friendships at Davidson High School (Class of 1981). He also was a proud Eagle Scout. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy (Class of 1985), after which he went on to pursue a career in Naval Aviation, flying the A-6 Intruder (VA-75 & VA-145). He flew many missions during Middle East conflicts off the USS Ranger and USS Enterprise, during which he flew the last nighttime operational flight of an A-6. He transitioned to the large E-6 aircraft out of TACAMO and then after a year of shore duty in Bahrain switched over to a career in International Affairs at the Navy International Programs Office and OPNAV. He discovered a second passion for working with international partners.
He was an avid reader, loved history, music and the outdoors, all of which led to his enjoyment of travel with his wife, Holly. With her help he was able to squeeze in as many new experiences and outdoor opportunities as possible with his early onset dementia diagnosis.
Michael is survived by his wife Holly Haverstick; two sons, Michael Scott Ottinger and Dr. Mark Ottinger, DVM; his father Gordon Ottinger of Columbiana, AL; his brother and sister in-law Marc & Susan Ottinger of Columbiana AL; uncle David Eldredge of Salt Lake City, UT and other extended family. He was a wonderful, kind and caring soul and as a result is leaving many friends, neighbors, caregivers and acquaintances with whom he left a lasting impression.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Iona Senior Services, 4125 Albemarle St NW, Washington, DC 20016-2105, www.iona.org or Lucky Dog Animal Rescue, 5159 Langston Boulevard, Arlington VA 22207, www.luckydoganimalresuce.org.
