Otto Alfredo Cordero passed away on July 20, 2016.
Son of the late Ana Morales and Angel Cordero, Otto was born July 8, 1939 in Santurce, Puerto Rico where he lived until age 7. He moved with his family to The Bronx, New York where he graduated from High School and moved back to Puerto Rico for his college education. He received a BS degree in Physical and Occupational Therapy from the University of Puerto Rico. Following graduation he joined the Army Medical Specialist Corps where he practiced Physical Therapy at Brooke Army Medical Center in Fort Sam Houston, Texas. It was there that he met his beloved Jane (Gilbertson). Otto and Jane were married July 26, 1963 in Melrose, Wisconsin and enjoyed 53 years of marriage together.

Otto left active military duty in 1965, remained in the Army Reserves, and he and Jane settled in Monona, Wisconsin where they raised 3 daughters. He established Restorative Care Associates, a rehabilitation and home care agency that provided physical, occupational and speech therapy as well as nursing and personal care worker services. He owned and operated Restorative Care for over 30 years. Otto and Jane retired to Sauk City, Wisconsin.


During his working years, Otto was a very active member of both the National and state physical therapy associations. He served the state association in many capacities including as chapter president and chief delegate. He served on the national association's House of Delegates for many years. Otto was a role model and mentor for countless therapists, guiding them in their professional development.

His many contributions were recognized by the national association in 1990 when he received the Lucy Blair Service Award. The state association honored him in 2001 by bestowing on him the award that bears his name, the Otto A. Cordero Lifetime Achievement Award. The purpose of this award is to recognize individuals who, like Otto, have made sustained and significant contributions to the profession of physical therapy over the course of their career.

Otto volunteered his incredible leadership abilities and caring heart to many causes. As a long-time Rotarian Otto served as President of his club, assisted with a variety of civic projects; and took a special interest in assisting with projects at Misioneros Del Camino children's home in Sumpango, Guatemala for several years. Locally, Otto served as President of the Ferry Bluff Eagle Council, mentored students at Sauk Prairie School, acted as Spanish interpreter at the Good Neighbor Clinic and was an active member of the Concordia United Methodist Church.

Otto's many personal interests included a love of the outdoors, hunting, fishing, spending time with family, creating culinary masterpieces and roasting his own coffee. Words cannot express how he will be missed.
Left with cherished memories of Otto are his wife Jane; three daughters Carla Kling Cordero (Conrad), Karyn Cordero Mintz and Susan Catton (Tim); seven grandchildren Dominique (Ray) & Tony Cordero, Ruth, Emma, Margret, and Max Mintz and Jonah Catton; great grandson Mason Cordero; and sisters Ana Mercado (John) and Margarita Cordero and brothers Carlos, Miguel, Alberto and Jose Cordero. Also left with cherished memories are numerous nieces and nephews. Otto was preceded in death by his parents, sister Carmen Cordero, and brothers Sammy and Efrain Cordero.

Services will be held at Concordia United Methodist Church, 585 5th St., Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin, 53578; Visitation on July 28, 2016 from 4:00pm to 7:00pm and Memorial service on July 29, 2016 at 11:00 am.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Concordia Methodist Church; the Rotary Foundation; the Salvation Army; the Legacy Society of the Wisconsin Physical Therapy Fund or a charity of your choice.