- Date Of Birth: November 11, 1929
- Date Of Death: December 7, 2016
- State: Illinois
Robert L. “Coach” Ott, 87, of Peru, passed away Wednesday, December 7, 2016 at Heritage Manor in Peru. Mr. Ott was born on November 11, 1929 in Ottawa to Lester and Loretta (Lockwood) Ott.
He married Anna Mae Zeman on January 10, 1959 at St. Columba Church in Ottawa. After graduating from Marseilles High School, he worked at Ford Hopkins Drug Store in Ottawa as a clerk until he took a job at Caterpillar in Joliet as a handyman. Bob moved to Peru in 1962 to work for Westclox for the next 18 years. After he retired, he worked for the Parks Department for the City of Peru. He was a member of St. Valentine’s Church in Peru. Bob had season tickets for more than 53 straight years for L-P High School sports and he has attended almost every single one of those games, including road and tournament games.
A fair assumption is that he has attended just over 3,000 boys’ basketball games when you include all levels. Ultimately, he has attended over 3,850 L-P sporting contests over the years. He was inducted to the Illinois Basketball Hall of Fame in 1997.He is survived by one sister, Rosemary Dettore of Naplate; one niece, Dawn Dettore of Umitilla, FL; three nephews, Vince Dettore of Tampa Bay, FL, Greg Dettore of Naplate and Michael (Rosa) Dettore of Montgomery; three great-nieces, Brooke Anne Dettore of Ottawa, Cassie Lynn Snell of Ottawa and Nadalie Rose Dettore of Montgomery; five great-nephews, Briar Michael Dettore and Tyler (Shiane) Dettore both of Sanford, FL, Michael Francisco Dettore of Montgomery and Joe (Kate) Ott and Jeff Ott both of Texas; five great-great nephews, Piearce Romano, Collin Romano, Mason Hatala, Ethan Snell and D.J. Snell all of Ottawa and great-great niece, Lisa Snell of Ottawa.Uncle Bob was the best uncle, great uncle, great-great uncle anybody could ever have…God sent him to us for 87 years until God was ready to call him home with Him in heaven.
He will be deeply missed.To his second family, the LP Cavaliers and coaching staff, for the more than 53 years that he had with the team, we love you all! The Dettore family. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Anna Mae and three brothers, Richard, Jack and Bill Ott.
