Obituary of Otis Waterman

Otis Ten Eyck Waterman, 84, died in his home in Viera, Fla. surrounded by his wife, Virginia, and his loving family on Sunday, October 12, 2014. Born in Buffalo, NY, he was the son of Ralph T. Waterman and Katherine Otis Waterman. He graduated from Arlington High School in 1948 and Clarkson University in 1952 with a degree in Civil Engineering. Upon graduating from college, he served in the US Army Corps of Engineers as a First Lieutenant. He then held several engineering positions before becoming the Plant Engineer at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. from 1966-1990. Otis was an avid bird watcher. He served as past president and was a member of the Ralph T. Waterman Bird Club in Dutchess County, which was named after his father. He loved birding and shared his enthusiasm for birding with his family, students who took bird identification classes from him and all those who birded with him. He was known as the "Birdman of Vassar" and identified 276 species of birds in Dutchess County during his lifetime. After retiring, Otis and Virginia moved to a home in Viera, Florida in a golf community where golf became his favorite pastime. He achieved a "hole in one" in 2009. Otis was also a music lover. He loved to sing and lead others in song at parties and gatherings. His signature songs were "On Top of Old Smokey", "Mack the Knife" and "You are My Sunshine". On April 5, 1952, he married Virginia Wheeler at the Methodist Church in Massena, NY. They celebrated 62 years of marriage this year. In addition to his wife Virginia, he is survived by his daughter, Krista Morris of Wappingers Falls, N.Y.; his three sons, Frederic Waterman of Suntree, Fla., Eric Waterman of Manila, Philippines and Roger Tory Waterman of Fairfield, Conn.; his ten beloved grandchildren, Noah Griffen, Chris and Sean Morris, Kevin and Jessica Waterman, Tristan, Cameron and Elijah Waterman, Zachary and Shaye Waterman; and one great grandson, Ossian Sullivan Griffen. He is also survived by his devoted brother, George Waterman. He was predeceased by his parents and his sister, Nathalie Waterman. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Ralph T. Waterman Bird Club. Checks payable to: Ralph T Waterman Bird Club Mail to: Steve Golladay, RTWBC, 25 Taconic Drive, Hopewell Jct., NY 12533 Calling Hours will take place Saturday, October 18, 2014 from 10am to 12pm with services at 12pm at Timothy P. Doyle FH Inc. 371 Hooker Avenue Poughkeepsie, NY. Burial will follow in Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery Poughkeepsie, NY.