Brian Otto
Brian Otto
1938 - 2017
Orthopaedic Surgeon
Brian Otto was born in Auckland, the only child of Gwen Fairey (a milliner) and Sandy Otto (Milk Board employee). The family moved to Greenmeadows, near Napier, when he was still a toddler and he grew up there attending Greenmeadows Primary School and later Napier Boys High School, where he was a member of the first fifteen, the Pipe Band and Head Boy.
Brian then entered Otago University and secured a position in Medical School completing his MB ChB in 1962. He spent the next two years as a house surgeon in Auckland. During this time, on a trip back to Hawkes Bay, Brian met Dorothy Cardno (a clerk) and they married a few months later. In 1964 their first son, Chris, was born and their family was completed with the arrival of a second son, Simon, in 1967. On securing a position as surgical registrar at Middlemore Hospital, Brian and his family bought their first family home in Mt. Roskill. In 1968, after three years as a rotating surgical registrar in Auckland, Brian obtained a six month position as orthopaedic registrar at St. Mary's Hospital in London. A further six months was spent at the Royal Surrey Hospital and during that time Brian secured his FRCS(Ed). Following a year as orthopaedic registrar at the Ipswich and East Suffolk Hospital Brian returned to his family in Auckland.
Back in Auckland, Brian was initially appointed to an orthopaedic registrar position at Middlemore Hospital and he subsequently became Tutor Specialist. During this time Brian gained his FRACS. After spending 1973-75 as a full-time Orthopaedic Specialist at Middlemore Hospital Brian decided to specialise in spinal surgery and obtained a Spinal Surgery Fellowship at the Royal Perth Hospital. In addition he gained experience in the management of spinal injuries while working in Shenton Park Spinal Unit with George Bedbrooke (later Sir George Bedbrooke).
On his return to Middlemore Hospital in 1977 Brian was appointed as Specialist Spinal Surgeon with a specific commitment to the Otara Spinal Injuries Unit. In 1979 this became a part-time role as he commenced in private practice. He was noted to be a very proficient spinal surgeon who provided outstanding care of the spinally injured patient. While now predominantly sub-specialised in spinal surgery, Brian remained on the acute orthopaedic roster. In 1990 Brian relinquished his role with the Spinal Injuries Unit to spend more time as a spinal surgeon working in both public and private practice.Ten years later Brian ceased work at Middlemore Hospital, but continued in private practice for a further three years before retiring in 2003. He continued to provide opinions for ACC for a number of years before stopping all medical practice. Brian was the author of, or contributed to, more than twenty papers on spinal conditions during his career.
In 1973 the family moved from Mt. Roskill to a new home sited on an acre of land in Remuera. It provided Brian the opportunity to develop his passion for native ferns. After capturing a swarm of bees Brian became a beekeeper and managed bee hives for over 40 years. The subsequent purchase of a family holiday house at Kinloch permitted ready access to the central plateau region of the North Island and he became knowledgeable on the local flora and fauna, with a particular love for native orchids and ferns - many varieties of which made their way into the native bush at his home in Auckland. A keen and capable handyman, Brian created an extensive irrigation system to ensure their survival. Brian also became an accomplished stone mason, building walls, seats and paving around the extensive grounds of the family home.
Brian was very keen on outdoor activities, greatly enjoying fly-fishing on Lake Taupo and its tributary rivers. Another joy and constant occupation was trading on the stock markets. An astute buyer and seller of shares throughout his adult life, he was constantly looking at market trends and what was happening around the business world. In retirement each of these activities became increasingly important. Always hardworking, and demonstrating an amazing work ethic, both at home and in his chosen career, Brian firmly ascribed to the view that 'the devil makes work for idle hands'.
Brian's health declined following a minor stroke around six years ago. Last year he was diagnosed with cancer of the oesophagus and underwent surgery. Although he bounced back from this - fitter, brighter, sharper and happy - sadly this didn't last and he became progressively less well. He passed away with dignity, listening to his precious bagpipes and native bird songs. He is survived and greatly missed by his wife, Dorothy, sons, Chris (travel industry) and Simon (advertising creative), and grandson, Max.
This obituary was kindly provided by Dr Allan Panting, FRACS with considerable assistance of Simon Otto and other members of the family.