Obituary: Greenwood, Otto C.
Age 94
He entered into rest on July 11, 2015 at the age of 94 surrounded by family at Good Samaritan in Spokane Valley, WA.
At the age of four, Otto and his mother immigrated from Germany to the United States to follow his father who had left Germany a year or so earlier.
They left family, friends and familiar surroundings, knowing in their hearts they would never see their loved ones again.
Yet they set out with that spirit of hope in their hearts, overcoming many obstacles including the language barrier.
They first traveled to Milwaukee and then a short time later made their home in the remote area in Bonners Ferry, Idaho.
They were able to purchase a log home and barn and worked hard over the next several years to start a dairy farm and raise hay for the cattle during the long winters.
In the fall of 1938, Otto joined the CCC, a semi-military corps made up of young men between the ages of 17-23.
This was his first experience away from home.
This is where he learned to cook which was much to his advantage when he joined the U.S. Army where he was quickly promoted to Mess Sergeant.
During the war, from 1942-1945 Otto served in the South Pacific, New Guinea, Luzon and the Philippines.
On February 10, 1943, Otto married Trudy who had two sons, Fred and Don Halsey who Otto helped raise.
Otto worked for the Great Northern Railroad, Kaiser Aluminum and then an aluminum foundry called Western Light Metals later becoming Consolidated Metco.
He worked at Metco until the plant closed in 1982 when he was forced into early retirement at the age of 61.
In January 1986, after 42 years of marriage, Trudy passed away.
A short while later in August of 1986, Otto married Marilyn Richter, a family friend and widow.
They spent many happy years together and did a lot of traveling to visit family.
They took trips to Bryce Canon, Zion National Park and the Grand Canyon.
They also took a trip to Chicago where Marilyn lived for many years and even was able to go back to Germany to visit where Otto was born.
In March of 2002, after 16 years of marriage, Marilyn passed away.
After Marilyn’s passing, Otto kept busy visiting with many friends and family, helping others when they needed help.
In Otto’s own words written shortly after Marilyn’s death he said, “For a man who has no natural children, I am certainly blessed.
I have sons, daughters, grandchildren and now great-grandchildren.
I believe they all love and care about me, and I love them all.
I have no regrets and would not change anything even if I could.
My life is made up of sorrow and joy, but in my life the joy has overtaken the sorrow.”
Otto is preceded in death by his parents, Otto and Frieda Greenwood, first wife Trudy, her sons Fred and Don Halsey, his second wife Marilyn, her son John Richter, his brother-in-law Jim Spooner and his grandson Myles Brisbois.
Otto is survived by his brother Bill (Alma) Greenwood; sister Charlotte Spooner; step-children Jim (Renae) Richter, Rene (Steve) Goebel, and Tom (Debbie) Richter; step-daughter-in-law Eleanor Halsey and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
He also leaves behind a special friend Alice.
The family would like to express their many thanks to the staff at Good Samaritan for their excellent care during his stay.
There will be no services as that was Otto’s wishes.