More Affiliates

Robert and Sally Ott were two individuals instrumental in the growth of Dorney Park. Having served as president of Dorney Park, the Pennsylvania Amusement Park Association (PAPA), and the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA), Bob Ott has not only left his mark on Dorney Park, but the entire industry as well. Both Sally and Bob passed away recently. Their obituaries as seen in the Morning Call are below.

Sally Plarr Ott
Sally Plarr Ott Sally Plarr Ott, 87, of Allentown, passed away Wednesday, February 14, 2007, in her residence. She was the wife of Robert F. Ott, to whom she was married for 67 years on January 10. Born in Allentown on June 13, 1919, she was the daughter of the late Robert L. and Wiltracy (Thompson) Plarr. She was the corporate secretary/treasurer of Dorney Park before retiring. She was a member of St. Johns Lutheran Church, Allentown. A graduate of South Whitehall High School, she first worked in the office of the former Lehigh Valley Cooperative Dairy. During World War II, she was employed by Martin Aircraft Company, Baltimore, Md. She was a member of Soroptimist International. She was a former First Lady of the Pennsylvania Amusement Park Association and the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions.

Survivors: Husband; son, Robert S. Ott and his wife Cyndi; grandchildren, Robert S. II and his wife Lisa, Michael B. and his wife Cindy, Stephen J. and his wife Suzanne, Jacqueline S., wife of John Mohr; stepgrandchildren, Michelle, wife of Darian Bidwell, Melissa Stettner; six great-grandchildren, five stepgreat-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Jacqueline S. Ott, brothers, Robert, Charles and Stephen Plarr, and a stepgrandson, Allan J. Komar.

Published in the Morning Call from 2/15/2007 - 2/16/2007. Photo and text from The Morning Call.

Robert F. Ott
Robert F. Ott Robert F. Ott, 88, of Allentown, passed away Saturday, March 3, in Lehigh Valley Hospital. He recently experienced the loss of his wife of 67 years, Sarah E. Sally (Plarr) Ott. Born in Allentown, he was a son of the late Harold J. and Mabel (Gaumer) Ott. He retired in 1985 as president and board chairman of Dorney Park, after 43 years of service. A 1936 alumnus of Allentown High School, he in 1939, received a Third Officers license upon graduating from Pennsylvania Nautical Schoolship, a Merchant Marine training facility. He retired from Merchant Marine service in 1945 as a World Two Coast Guard Veteran with a Lieutenant Commander rating. He was a past president of Pennsylvania Amusement Park Association, a past president and board member of the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions, past vice-president and board member of the Allentown-Lehigh County Tourist and Convention Bureau. He was a member of St. Johns Lutheran Church, Allentown, and served on its vestry. Active in Masonic affairs, he was a member and past master of Warren Lodge, F&AM, Belvidere, N.J. He was affiliated with Lehigh Consistory, Rajah Temple, Lehigh Shrine Club, and the High Twelve Club. He held memberships in Allentown Lions Club, Pennsylvania Schoolship Alumni Association, Travelers Protective Association, Lehigh County Historical Society, and the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce. He was a volunteer with Visiting Nurses Association and Allentown Literacy Council.

Survivors: Son, Robert S. Ott and his wife Cyndi; grandchildren, Robert S. II and his wife Lisa, Michael B. and his wife Cindy, Stephen J. and his wife Suzanne, and Jacqueline S., wife of John Mohr; stepgrandchildren, Michelle, wife of Darian Bidwell and Melissa Stettner; sisters, Elmira Matcha and Adele Murphy; six great-grandchildren, and five stepgreat-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Jacqueline S. Ott, brothers John, Richard, and Glenn Ott, and by a stepgrandson, Allan J. Komar.

Published in the Morning Call on 3/5/2007. Photo and text from The Morning Call.