1921
Otto
2010
Otto Elser
September 24, 1921 — June 21, 2010
Otto H. Elser of Independence passed away on June 21, 2010. Private graveside services will be held at Mound Grove Cemetery, Independence. A Memorial Service honoring Otto will be held on Saturday, June 26 at 10:00 a.m. at Pleasant Heights Community of Christ Church, 4341 Blue Ridge Boulevard, Kansas City, Missouri. Memorial contributions may be made to Outreach International.
Otto was born in Haubersbronn, Germany on September 24, 1921 to George and Lena (Maisch) Elser. He came to the United States with his parents at the age of 6 and the family established their home in New York City for 18 years, after which they moved to Independence, Missouri.
He attended elementary and high school in Brooklyn, New York, and spent four years at New York University, majoring in history and languages. In his senior year, he was inaugurated into Phi Beta Kappa and graduated Magna Cum Laude in 1942.
He spent four years in the Army during World War II and following his honorable discharge, Otto was admitted to Harvard Medical School and received a degree of Doctor of Medicine in June, 1951. Following internships and two years of Ophthalmology residency at the University of Kansas Medical Center, he began his medical practice in 1956 in Independence where he was joined five years later by his brother-in-law, Dr. Wallace B. Smith.
During his medical career, he served as an examiner for the American Board of Ophthalmology, as a member of the Corporate Body of the Independence Regional Health Center, as President of the medical staff of the hospital, and had memberships in the Missouri State Medical Association and Metropolitan Medical Society.
In June, 1953 he married Rosalee Smith, daughter of former President W. Wallace Smith of the Community of Christ church. Along with his career as an ophthalmic surgeon, Otto devoted time to the church as an ordained minister in the headquarters area. He was at various times, assistant pastor at The Stone Church, a member of the Center Stake High Council, a member of the Center Stake Presidency, and a member of the Standing High Council, the church’s highest judicial body.
In 1979, he left his medical practice to become the Commissioner of Health Ministries. He was responsible for health matters involving church officials and for promoting humanitarian health projects throughout the worldwide missions and congregations of the church, particularly in the less-developed areas such as Haiti, Africa, Central America and the Philippines.
In retirement, Otto continued to minister, as occasion warranted, as a member of the Quorum of High Priests. He continued to travel to distant places as long as his health permitted.
His wife, Rosalee, preceded him in death on July 4, 2007. He is survived by his sons, Robert C. Elser and wife Chris, James H Elser and fiancé Linda Best, grandson Jeffrey Elser, sister Ruth Harold and husband Lane, brother-in-law Dr. Wallace B. Smith and wife Anne, and nieces and nephews.
Otto was born in Haubersbronn, Germany on September 24, 1921 to George and Lena (Maisch) Elser. He came to the United States with his parents at the age of 6 and the family established their home in New York City for 18 years, after which they moved to Independence, Missouri.
He attended elementary and high school in Brooklyn, New York, and spent four years at New York University, majoring in history and languages. In his senior year, he was inaugurated into Phi Beta Kappa and graduated Magna Cum Laude in 1942.
He spent four years in the Army during World War II and following his honorable discharge, Otto was admitted to Harvard Medical School and received a degree of Doctor of Medicine in June, 1951. Following internships and two years of Ophthalmology residency at the University of Kansas Medical Center, he began his medical practice in 1956 in Independence where he was joined five years later by his brother-in-law, Dr. Wallace B. Smith.
During his medical career, he served as an examiner for the American Board of Ophthalmology, as a member of the Corporate Body of the Independence Regional Health Center, as President of the medical staff of the hospital, and had memberships in the Missouri State Medical Association and Metropolitan Medical Society.
In June, 1953 he married Rosalee Smith, daughter of former President W. Wallace Smith of the Community of Christ church. Along with his career as an ophthalmic surgeon, Otto devoted time to the church as an ordained minister in the headquarters area. He was at various times, assistant pastor at The Stone Church, a member of the Center Stake High Council, a member of the Center Stake Presidency, and a member of the Standing High Council, the church’s highest judicial body.
In 1979, he left his medical practice to become the Commissioner of Health Ministries. He was responsible for health matters involving church officials and for promoting humanitarian health projects throughout the worldwide missions and congregations of the church, particularly in the less-developed areas such as Haiti, Africa, Central America and the Philippines.
In retirement, Otto continued to minister, as occasion warranted, as a member of the Quorum of High Priests. He continued to travel to distant places as long as his health permitted.
His wife, Rosalee, preceded him in death on July 4, 2007. He is survived by his sons, Robert C. Elser and wife Chris, James H Elser and fiancé Linda Best, grandson Jeffrey Elser, sister Ruth Harold and husband Lane, brother-in-law Dr. Wallace B. Smith and wife Anne, and nieces and nephews.
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