Letter to the Editor: Waukon will not be the same without him

To the Editor:

Following the passing of Dan Otting this past week I have felt moved to write to you to express the sadness felt by a number of people here in the UK (United Kingdom). I have been a close friend of Brother Leo Jones and Mary Anne, Dan and the family since 1983 when I first visited Waukon.

In 2001 I brought a group of high school students to the U.S. from England and part of the itinerary was a two-day visit to Waukon where we stayed with Dan and Mary Anne. For the students, this was by far the most memorable aspect of their whole American experience. The hospitality we received was second to none.

Dan always enjoyed hosting international students and my last visit was for Thanksgiving in 2013 when I came with a student from Beirut and one from Palestine and we shared a wonderful few days in Waukon. They remember the stories that Dan told late into the night about the characters and events over the years in Waukon.

I have been fortunate to visit Waukon many times over the years and I know that the place will not be the same without him, and yet Waukon will always be richer for having had someone like him. Our thoughts and prayers are very much with Mary Anne and the family at this time.

Aidan Dowle
Deputy Head
Lakers School
Coleford, England