Lake Bluff Obituary: Othon Ochsner, 83

Othon Henry Ochsner, of Lake Bluff, died July 14, 2017. He was born, raised and educated in Chicago, Illinois, where he attended Roosevelt University and John Marshall Law School.

Ochsner began his professional career in the legal department at Chicago-based Walgreen’s before joining the marketing team at Porsche Car Imports in Northbrook, Illinois where he worked until 1968 when he was recruited by the Pirelli Tire Corporation.

In 1973, Ochsner resigned from his position as New York City-based national sales manager and returned to Chicago. He partnered with his father and formed Ochsner & Ochsner Imports in 1974 and in 1981 he incorporated that business into Ochsner International.

Ochsner had many passions in life, his family and his friends being most important. He also had a passion for collecting and a variety of interests that his collecting focused upon such as; automobiles, fine wines, bicycles, cookbooks, and menus from his travels around the world.

Ochsner was an entrepreneur-epicurean, he was president and CEO of Ochsner International, managing director of Ochsner Auto and Bike Museum, Ochsner Object d’ Art Gallery, and Ochsner Cook Book Library. And he belonged to various organizations, including Ordre Des Canardiers, Les Amis d’ Escoffer Society, and Swiss-America Business Council.

Ochsner was also founder and managing director of the Louise Catherine Schlichenmaier and Othon Henry Ochsner Family Charitable Foundation. He was preceded in death by his parents, Othon Henry Ochsner and Louise Catherine Schlichenmaier Ochsner. He leaves behind three sisters, Delores Louise Swider, Betty-Ann Johnson, and Marlene Rose Mefferd. He also leaves behind nine nieces and nephews, 14 great nieces and nephews and countless friends.

His loss will be felt by many, but we take comfort in the words of Ochsner's favorite bible verse: John 3.16.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

A visitation will be held from Friday, July 21 from 10 a.m. until noon at 86 Albrecht Dr. in Lake Bluff. A service will be held at noon, following the visitation. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Louise Catherine Schlichenmaier and Othon Henry Ochsner Family Charitable Foundation, 86 Albrecht Drive, Lake Bluff, IL 60044.

» via Wenban Funeral Home

Top photo: Othon Ochsner | via Wenben Funeral Home