NWA Capt. Otto Everett Tessmer

 

~ IN MEMORY ~

NWA Capt. Otto Everett Tessmer

April 27, 1932 ~ November 27, 2020

 

From the RNPA/Retired Northwest Pilots group comes this news with the passing of a much loved friend and respected co-worker retired Northwest pilot Captain Otto Everett Tessmer.  Captain Tessmer joined Northwest Airlines 02-12-1958.  Colleague and good friend Capt. Bill Day writes: “Captain Otto Everett Tessmer, age 88, died last Friday, November 27, 2020 in his beloved Alexandria, MN. There is an obituary posted at https://www.andersonfuneral.net/obituary/Otto-Tessmer  and a shorter version in the Minnesota Star and Tribune Dec. 2, 2020. There will be a pilot obituary posted on the RNPA website.  I flew with Otto Everett Tessmer each opportunity that came my way. In addition I got to know him well as fellow instructors in the DC-10 program. If Bill Carrothers were still with us today, he would be deep in grief. Ev Tessmer and Bill Carrothers had uncanny connections and a profound friendship throughout their lives. Bill Carrothers died in 2016. The family will have a private funeral service in Alexandria. Send any further communications to the Tessmer Family, 1710 Cannongate Road, Forest Hill, MD 21050. What a privilege it was to know this delightful human being. “

Obituary information is available online at

https://www.andersonfuneral.net/obituary/Otto-Tessmer  and at

https://www.startribune.com/obituaries/detail/0000375639/

 

Thank you,

~ Carol for the PCN 

 

Obituary:  Otto Everett Tessmer passed away peacefully in Alexandria, MN on Friday, November 27, 2020.

“Sweet Loveable Evy” (as he liked to be called) was born on April 27, 1932, in Alexandria Minnesota to Otto and Sofy (Haugdahl) Tessmer.  On April 18, 1959, he married Mary Jill Fordham. They raised a son, John, and two daughters, Paula and Karla.

 

His extensive flying career began in the Navy in 1954. Everett spent most of his Naval career instructing in Pensacola Florida. He claimed that his navy career saved him after two attempts at obtaining a college degree, one at the University of Minnesota and another at St. Olaf in Northfield, MN.  When asked why he left these institutions, he would reply, “I was not kicked out. Rather, I was asked to never return.”

 

After leaving the Navy, he was hired by Northwest Airlines in 1957 and retired in April of 1992.  He flew as Captain on the 727, 707 & DC10. During his 35 year career, he was a respected instructor and the FAA-designated Check Airman for orals and type ratings on the DC10. In 1970, he was elected by ALPA (Airline Pilots Association) to serve on the Master Executive Council at Northwest Airlines.  He retired as the number one seniority pilot on the DC-10.

 

When not working, Everett loved the game of golf, especially the grudge matches that included his late brother Bob, his son John and his nephews. One of his greatest golf achievements was playing Augusta National Golf Club, home of the Master’s, courtesy of his beloved niece Anne-Marie Dobbs.

 

Everett was best known for his marvelous sense of humor. He was given the title “The King of Wit” as he always had a hilarious comeback to any joke. However, he was not known for being handy around the house. For example, when asked by a neighbor who was fixing a boat motor to bring him a screwdriver, Ev promptly returned with vodka and orange juice.  It was 8:30 a.m.

 

Mostly, he loved his family. While gregarious and social most of his life, in his later years, all he wanted was to be near his children and grandchildren. He will be so greatly missed.

 

Night Night, Bye-Bye, See Ya, Morning, Love You.

 

He is survived by his three children, John Tessmer, Paula Olhausen, and Karla Jones, and seven grandchildren, Allen, Laura and Bob Tessmer, Adam and Ashley Olhausen and Jackson and Sophie Jones, his brother Ken Tessmer and wife Tolly, and many adoring cousins, nieces, and nephews.

 

A private funeral service will be held Friday, December 4, 2020 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Alexandria, MN. Inurnment will be at Kinkead Cemetery in Alexandria.This service will be live-streamed and recorded for family and friends to view from Ev’s obituary page on the Anderson Funeral Home website at noon on Friday.

 

A celebration of Ev’s fun-filled life will occur this summer in Alexandria.

 

 In lieu of flowers, please send donations to The Assoc for Frontotemporal Degeneration.  theartd.org 

 

Send any further communications to the Tessmer Family, PO Box 714 Wayzata, MN 55391

 

Services:  PRIVATE SERVICE WITH PUBLIC LIVE STREAMING

Friday, December 4, 2020  at 12:00 PM

The Church of St. Mary, 420 Irving Street, Alexandria, MN 56308