Richard Keith Ott passed on to his heavenly home on April 15, 2025, at home surrounded by his loved ones. He was born in Monroe, WI at the family home on October 20, 1940, attended by Dr. Moore, Green County Health Officer and mid-wife Mrs. Starr. Richard was the oldest son of Wilbert and Daisy (Beach) Ott. He graduated from Monroe High School in 1958 and worked in Monroe at Frito CO, Industrial Combustion and Oaktron Industries before going to work for Wisconsin Power and Light Co. at the south area facility near Beloit. He married Darlene Brekke and had two sons Darrin and Dowlure. He transferred to Janesville District working with business Accounts. Richard worked a total of 33 years for WPL and retired in Jan. of 1993. He earned an associate's degree at Blackhawk College and completed numerous courses through the UW Educ. Ext. as well as studies at G.E. Institute in N.C. and Nelo Park, Ohio and G.T.I in Chicago. In 1989 he met and later married his sweetheart and life companion of 35 years, Jean Vining. Richard ran for the Rock County Board in 1998 and was elected to six consecutive terms. He was elected County Board Chairman three times from 2002-2008. He was appointed Chairman of the Planning and Development Committee and the County Board Staff Committee in addition to numerous ad-hoc committees, commissions and boards. He enjoyed serving a total of twelve years on the Rock County Board, honored to have met four of WI Governors and the chief justice of the WI Supreme Court along with numerous other state and municipal officials all of whom he was honored to work alongside with. Richard served his county as a member of the 32nd division N.G. unit in Monroe and was deployed in 1961-62 to Ft. Lewis WA. during the Berlin Crisis. He was also stationed at Fort Leonard Wood, MO and Fort Ord. CA. Richard also served on the Welty Environmental Center Board, the Salvation Army Board, the Janesville Convention/Visitor's Bureau, the JATV friend's board serving as president for many years and the Janesville School Districts communication connection committee. He was a 25-year member and past president and zone chairman of the Janesville Noon Lions Club. He was a member of the Janesville Moose Family Center 197, the American Legion Post 69 in Avon Park, Florida and Janesville, WI, the Rock Trail Coalition and the WI LAPTF. He was a long-time member of the Madison Packer Backer Club attending one or more Packer games at Lambeau Field for 25 Consecutive Years. Richard was a lifelong Badgers, Packers, and Boston Red Socks fan holding Badger Basketball season tickets for over 30 years. He also enjoyed spending warm winters at his Florida Home for several years with his life companion, Jean. They enjoyed traveling to Australia, Europe, Mexico and throughout all 50 states with Alaska being the last in 2018. Richard is survived by his wife, Jean Vining; his sons, Darrin (Sandra) Ott, Dowlure (Melinda) Ott; grandsons, Aiden Ott, and Kyle Ott and granddaughter Kaitlyn Ott; stepdaughter, Vikki Nielsen (Sam); Stepson, Ron Vining Jr. (Jessica); 7 Step Grandchildren and 6 step great- grandchildren. Sisters: Marilyn Beckage of Grand Junction, CO, Jean Broge of South Wayne, WI, Donna Martin of Sheboygan, WI; Brother, Fred (Lois Selnow) Ott of Evansville, WI; and brother in-law, Burnette Burkhalter of Monroe, WI; along with numerous nieces and nephews and relatives. He was preceded in death by his parents, Wilbert and Daisy Ott; Sister, Joyce (Ott) Burkhalter; brothers in law: Roger Martin, Richard Broge, Raymond Beckage; and sister-in-law, JoAnn (Fred) Ott. Funeral services will be held at 11 am Wednesday May 7, 2025, at SCHNEIDER FUNERAL HOME, pastor Jim Johnson from First Lutheran Church will officiate. Visitation will be held from 9 am to time of service. For online condolences and guestbook, please visit: www.schneiderfuneraldirectors.com The family would like to thank the entire team at Agrace Hospice for their care and support.