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Griffin Leggett Healey & Roth Funeral Home
5800 West 12th Street
Little Rock,
AR
72204
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Tel. (501) 661-9111
Fax. (501) 661-0065
griffinleggetthealeyroth@stei.com
Memories & Candles
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“I was a student in electrical engineering at NDSU at the time Mr. Helweg was the Dean of Engineering and Architecture. He was also my adviser when I...Read More »
”
1 of 8 | Posted by: Drew Paris Burnsville MN
“I am so sorry to hear of Dr Otto's death – His death was announced yesterday at St Ethienne cathedral Church in Kigali where Dr Otto and his wife...Read More »
”
2 of 8 | Posted by: Nshuti S. Rugerinyange (Eng.,)
“Otto was a "big picture" person himself and inspired others to believe in and take on causes and projects that were bigger than themselves. Our...Read More »
”
3 of 8 | Posted by: Ron and Connie Sundquist MN
“One time, when meeting Otto, crossing the sidewalk from his office to the Union without a coat, I told Otto he would 'catch his death'. He just...Read More »
”
4 of 8 | Posted by: Angie Lundberg Wettschreck MN
“I had the fortune of being a student at NDSU while Otto was Dean there. He touched many lives including my own with his kind words and strong message...Read More »
”
5 of 8 | Posted by: Brian Hopkins, MN
“Virginia, We are so sorry to hear of the passing of Otto. He was a remarkable man and we are blest to have known you both and have had you as...Read More »
”
6 of 8 | Posted by: Ron & Marlene Hoffart Fargo ND
“Otto was a great friend and inspiration to me. We spent time together from his enrollment at Colorado State in the 1970s practically until now. I was...Read More »
”
7 of 8 | Posted by: Neil Grigg CO
“You guys have my deepest sympathy. The world has lost a great humanitarian. I am thankful to have met him and had him in my family(church). You all...Read More »
”
8 of 8 | Posted by: Tracey Salley Little Rock AR
Otto Jennings Helweg, of Maumelle, Arkansas, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, November 2nd, 2008, while performing volunteer work in Denver, Colorado. He was blessed with a quick passage to his ultimate goal, to be with the Lord. Otto is survived by his wife, Virginia Helweg, as well as his 3 sons, Otto, Mark, and Steve.
Otto and Virginia recently spent a successful year in Rwanda where Otto was a special consultant to the Government of Rwanda, leading an effort to install 40 water wells for the citizens of that country. Otto recently retired in Little Rock from the position of Dean of the Architectural and Engineering department at North Dakota State University in Fargo.
Otto’s education and humanitarian impact are numerous and include having a B.S., M.S., and Ph.D., in civil engineering; he has a Masters of Divinity with majors in theology, psychology, and philosophy, a M.B.A. with majors in marketing and finance, and a M.S. with a major in administration of higher education. While at the U.S. Naval Academy, where he earned his first engineering degree, he was undefeated heavyweight boxing champion, played on Navy's Cotton Bowl football team, and was honorable All-American in lacrosse.
While on active duty in the Navy, Otto devoted considerable time counseling young recruits. After completing four years in the Navy, he and his new bride spent a year as volunteers teaching in a mission high school in Tehran, Iran. After completing his masters degree at U.C.L.A., Otto eschewed a Sackett Fellowship for Ph.D. Study and, instead, returned to Iran in order to help the poor of this country. He, his wife, and new son returned as fraternal workers where he devoted five and one-half years working among the Kurds in Western Iran and took part in small and large scale village water projects. In addition, he completed a number of other volunteer projects, involving structural design and irrigation improvement, that aided the poor villagers. One project was featured by the National Plan Organization as the outstanding project of the year.
Otto assisted the Saudi government in developing a water studies center and directed their agricultural experiment station. In addition, he has assisted South American countries and Russia. On a local level, Otto is active in his church, serving in leadership positions and teaching Sunday School, has been advisor and founder for a number of student and faculty organizations, and took part in many activities to promote engineering, especially among the poor inner city African Americans in the Memphis area.
Otto is a Fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers and is a member of sixteen other professional organizations. He has received a number of honors, including the Ground Water Scientists of the Year, the outstanding Civil Engineer in the State of Tennessee and the most outstanding engineer in the Mid South as well as the most prestigious Hoover Medal. Otto has written over 100 refereed papers and three books.
A memorial service will be held this Friday, November 7th, 10:45am, at the Mosaic Church, 6420 Colonel Glenn Dr. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorials be made to: Mosaic Church of Central Arkansas, 6420 Colonel Glenn Dr. Ste #1, Little Rock, AR 72204 or to a favorite charity. Services are provided by Griffin Leggett Healey & Roth Funeral Home, 5800 W. 12th St., L.R. AR 72204 ph #: 501.661.0065. On line guest register: www.griffinleggett.com
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I was a student in electrical engineering at NDSU at the time Mr. Helweg was the Dean of Engineering and Architecture. He was also my adviser when I was in the general engineering department as a freshmen and helped me decide to go into electrical engineering in the first place. I fortunate to have Mr. Helweg as a teacher as well, most appropriately, for our mandatory ethics class. Ethics classes can be notoriously boring and rote, but Mr. Helweg made it very enjoyable and thought provoking. I will never forget his high principles and morals, which he conveyed to us without ever seeming preachy. He also did not fear expressing he Christian faith to us, which was refreshing in light of the typical university environment. He was a great man.
Posted by: Drew Paris Burnsville, MN Nov 20, 2008
I am so sorry to hear of Dr Otto's death – His death was announced yesterday at St Ethienne cathedral Church in Kigali where Dr Otto and his wife used to go to worship. It was a great shock to me given my special relationship with him. To me, Otto was a legend, my father and my inspiration. What a great family he has created and an amazing life he lead.
Accept my heart-felt condolences and good wishes at this time.
May his soul rest in peace!
God bless you!
Posted by: Nshuti S. Rugerinyange (Eng.,) Kigali Nov 17, 2008
Otto was a "big picture" person himself and inspired others to believe in and take on causes and projects that were bigger than themselves. Our prayers are with you Virginia and families as you make this transition. May God bless you all and keep you in His care.
Posted by: Ron and Connie Sundquist Moorhead, MN Nov 15, 2008
One time, when meeting Otto, crossing the sidewalk from his office to the Union without a coat, I told Otto he would 'catch his death'. He just replied 'Praise God, I will get to go home.' So I know he is rejoicing with our Father in Heaven, but he will be greatly missed here on earth, for that I send my sincerest condolences, Virginia and sons.
Posted by: Angie Lundberg Wettschreck Crystal, MN Nov 14, 2008
I had the fortune of being a student at NDSU while Otto was Dean there. He touched many lives including my own with his kind words and strong message. He was an inspiration to engineers everywhere; proving to many young men and women that we could be successful both professionally and spiritually.
Posted by: Brian Hopkins, MN Nov 13, 2008
Virginia, We are so sorry to hear of the passing of Otto. He was a remarkable man and we are blest to have known you both and have had you as neighbors and friends in Fargo. God bless you all.
Ron & Marlene Hoffart
Posted by: Ron & Marlene Hoffart Fargo, ND Nov 13, 2008
Otto was a great friend and inspiration to me. We spent time together from his enrollment at Colorado State in the 1970s practically until now. I was always inspired by Otto's dedication and total commitment to finding the truth and helping people out. Peggy and I both extend our love and sense of shared loss to Virginia, Otto, Mark, and Steve.
Posted by: Neil Grigg CO Nov 08, 2008
You guys have my deepest sympathy. The world has lost a great humanitarian. I am thankful to have met him and had him in my family(church). You all are in my prayers and we all know he is with our Father rejoicing.
Posted by: Tracey Salley Little Rock, AR Nov 07, 2008
Visitation:
November 08 2008
10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Griffin-Leggett Healey & Roth
5800 West 12th St.
Little Rock, AR
Funeral Service:
November 07 2008
10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Mosaic Church
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