Paul T. Ott

Retired Brigadier General Paul T. Ott, age 79, passed away peacefully in his home on June 3, 2023.

Paul was born in Portsmouth, NH to Raymond and Rosemary (Gendron) Ott. He attended Newman High School, Wausau, where he met the love of his life, Ramona Wunsch. Together they graduated from Newman in 1961. They were married July 10, 1965. They have two daughters, Jacqueline and Pamela.

In October 1960, Paul enlisted in the Wisconsin Army National Guard, sworn in by his father, Company Commander Raymond Ott. During his esteemed military career, Paul led the 1st Battalion 632d Armor, 32d Separate Infantry (Red Arrow) Brigade, and 34th Infantry (Red Bull) Division. In October 1998, Paul retired from the National Guard with over 38 years of service having reached the rank of Brigadier General. He took great pride in mentoring the young soldiers during his career. His military awards include The Legion of Merit and The Meritorious Service Medal, among many others. Paul was a lifetime member of the Wausau American Legion Post 10.

Paul attended Northcentral Technical College to study Residential Design. He built many homes, apartment buildings and a nursing home in Ladysmith, WI. He also built a home in South Carolina for Dave Marcus, a retired stock car driver. All of his building experience led to the development of his own business, Professional Development, Inc. With the business, he developed a new subdivision on the northwest side of Wausau called Valley Hill. All homes were sold and he made many new friends in the process. The project that brought Paul the most pride was completing the construction of his own home in 2003. Prior to starting his own business, Paul worked for 22 years with Wausau Homes as Director of Sales and Marketing.

Paul loved to travel. He attended many military schools throughout the nation and usually took his family with him. One special occasion, Paul attended school at the Pentagon. While he was hard at work, his family enjoyed the sights of Washington D.C. Paul thoroughly enjoyed being a Grandpa. He has four grandchildren and three grand-dogs. 

Paul is survived by his wife of 57 years, Ramona Ott; two daughters, Jacqueline (Mark) Ratcliffe and Pamela (Todd) Pingel; four grandchildren, Emily, Samuel, Ray and Esther Pingel; two brothers, CJ (Barb) Ott and David (Christa) Ott and one sister, Sandy Ott; a close friend, Paul (Athena) Hoefs; three grand-dogs, Katie, Ruby and Moonshine and many other relatives and close friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and grandson, Matthew Pingel.

The family would like to thank the Palliative Care unit at Aspirus Hospital and Aspirus Hospice for the comfort they provided Paul in his final weeks. Special thanks to our private in-home caregivers, Angie and Sammy, along with Ashley, Catrina, Sarah and Jen of Tender Home Care for the ongoing love and care they showed Paul and continue to provide to Ramona. You've become family to us.

A funeral mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, June 14, 2023 at 11:00 AM at St. Matthew Catholic Church, Wausau, with Father Sebastian Kolodziejczyk officiating. Immediately following mass, full military honors will be held outside the church. Visitation will be held from 10:00 AM until the time of the mass at St. Matthew. Prayers and entombment will follow at Restlawn Memorial Park in Wausau. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent in honor of Paul Ott to the Man of Honor Society, P.O. Box 2071, Wausau, WI 54402 or St. Matthew Catholic Parish, 229 S. 28th Avenue, Wausau, WI 54401. 

Helke Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be shared at www.helke.com.