Mr Richard Otter

Who was Richard Otter?

Richard Otter was a 38 (thirty-eight) year-old English stone cutter who tragically lost his life in the sinking of the RMS Titanic on April 15, 1912. Born in Portland, Dorset, England on May 23, 1873, Otter had made a life for himself in Cleveland, Ohio, before his fateful journey back to America aboard the ill-fated ship.

Early Life and Background

A Family of Quarrymen

Richard Otter was born into a family with deep roots in the stone industry. His father, William Henry Otter (1831-1909), worked as a quarryman in Portland, Dorset. Richard was one of eight children, with siblings including:

Robert Flew White (1852-1937)
Elizabeth Scriven Flew (1854-1864)
William Henry (1856-1857)
Rebecca Fall (1859-1940)
William Henry (1863-1921)
Elizabeth White (1866-1943)
John (1869-1869)

Journey to America

In 1890, at the age of 17, Richard Otter made the bold decision to emigrate to the United States. He arrived on American soil on April 23, 1890, following in the footsteps of his sister Elizabeth, who had been living in Cleveland, Ohio since 1885.

Life in Cleveland

Building a Career and Family

Richard settled in Cleveland, Ohio, where he found work as a stone cutter in the Berea quarries. His skills and dedication led him to become a naturalized U.S. citizen on March 8, 1898.

“Richard, a stone cutter by trade, settled in Cleveland, Ohio where he worked in the Berea quarries.”

Later that same year, on September 22, Richard married Catherine “Kate” Rauch, a native of Middleburg, Ohio. The couple welcomed their son, Clarence Richard, on July 17, 1899.

Rising Through the Ranks

By 1910, Richard had progressed in his career, being described as a quarry foreman in the census records. The family had established themselves at 62 Stroud Road in Cleveland.

The Fateful Titanic Journey

Why did Richard Otter board the Titanic?

In early 1912, Richard Otter returned to England with his sister and brother-in-law to visit family. It was his first time back in England in ten years. While there, he received word that the quarries would soon be reopening, prompting him to book passage back to America on the RMS Titanic.

Titanic Boarding Details

Class: Second Class
Ticket Number: 28213
Fare: £13
Port of Embarkation: Southampton

Richard boarded the Titanic at Southampton as a second-class passenger. Due to the cost of the trip, his sister and brother-in-law remained in England while Richard traveled alone.

Fate During the Disaster

Did Richard Otter survive the Titanic sinking?

Tragically, Richard Otter did not survive the sinking of the Titanic. He perished in the disaster on April 15, 1912, at the age of 38 (thirty-eight). His body, if recovered, was never identified.

Legacy and Impact

A Hero’s Memory

In the aftermath of the disaster, Richard’s wife Kate displayed remarkable strength and compassion. In a newspaper story published days after the tragedy, she said:

“I was glad her husband had gone down with the Titanic if it meant another woman or child saved. I have lost him, but I am glad that if he had to die he died a hero.”

Financial Aftermath

The Otter family faced significant hardship following Richard’s death:

Kate filed an insurance claim for $10,000 for loss of life
The American Red Cross provided financial relief (Case number 361)
The family received $1,152.46 from other American relief funds

The Otter Family’s Future

Kate Otter never remarried and lived a long life, passing away on January 26, 1972, at the age of 94. Their son Clarence went on to have a successful career, eventually running his own cement business. He married Ruby K. Walden in 1924, and they had two children before later divorcing.

A Poignant Memorial

Richard Otter is remembered on the family gravestone in St. George’s Cemetery, Portland, Dorset. The inscription reads:

IN AFFECTIONATE MEMORY OF
MARY
THE BELOVED WIFE OF WILLIAM H. OTTER
WHO DIED FEBRY 27TH 1888 AGED 55 YEARS.
ALSO OF THE ABOVE
WILLIAM H. OTTER
BORN DEC 29 1831 — DIED JAN 2 1909
ALSO RICHARD SON OF THE ABOVE WHO WAS LOST ON THE TITANIC APRIL 15 1912 AGED 39 YEARS.
GOD BE WITH US TILL WE MEET AGAIN.
ALSO 3 CHILDREN OF THE ABOVE WHO DIED...

This touching memorial serves as a lasting tribute to Richard Otter, a hardworking stone cutter whose life was cut short by one of the most famous maritime disasters in history. His story remains a poignant reminder of the many lives affected by the sinking of the RMS Titanic.