Otto G. Stoll

A wonderful tribute was paid to an outstanding citizen of the Conejo Valley, the well-honored and greatly loved Otto G. Stoll.

The Stoll family as well as the staff and members of Many Mansions were deeply touched by the expressions of affection evidenced by the presence of more than 400 members of our community.

The number of cards, telephone calls, flowers, messages and donations was astounding. Each expressed, in its own way, the giver’s sorrow at losing Otto but at the same time showed each person’s joy and gratitude at having shared a walk in life with Otto.

How fortunate we are to have had such a man in our midst.

Otto’s history of heart transplant surgeries was one of courage and indomitable will. His demise was well-expressed by his wife, Jane, when she said, “It was his time.”

He has earned his rest. Otto is now in God’s loving care and it remains for the balance of us to continue to care for each other.

The highest and best homage we can pay Otto’s memory is to follow in his humanitarian footsteps and help to carry out his vision to provide nurture and assistance to all those in need--children, senior citizens, the handicapped and the homeless.

Bless you all.

JOSEPH R. SMOLARSKI

Director, Community Relations

Many Mansions

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Otto Stoll was one of the finest citizens in our fair city of Thousand Oaks. I do not cry easily but today the tears flowed.

I knew of Otto’s reputation long before I met him and his wife, Jane. My husband and I met them at a dinner one night and talked and laughed about our common interests. We found out that we all had a deep love and concern about every aspect of the city.

I knew how deeply committed Otto was to the health, safety and well-being of people, whether they be rich or poor.

Otto made it his business to find out what you were about and appreciated the fact that you too were involved in helping to volunteer for the community. He was not above using his friendship to get your help, pressing on until you felt that tinge of guilt that made you find a way to help him out.

When we met Otto we didn’t know about his heart condition. He never mentioned it. When someone told us in passing that he was waiting for his fourth heart transplant, we were shocked and saddened. If we all had two hearts, people would have lined up to give one of theirs to him.

When he went to the hospital for his last transplant, I read a comment from someone who said Otto would not need all those new hearts if he would stop giving his heart away to others.

Otto was only in our lives for a very short time but he touched us in a unique way. We want Jane and his sons to know that the legacy of his goodness will live on, and we will not let it die.

The tears will dry when we continue to follow his example to help in whatever way we can to keep his dreams alive.

JUDY and BILL GOLUBICS

Thousand Oaks