Otto Laabs

March 10th, 1936 - November 25th, 2011

Otto's Memory Wall

We encourage you to share your most beloved memories of Otto here, so that the family and other loved ones can always see it. Share your favorite stories or comment on those shared by others.

I taught with Otto at Saranac H.S. and we also worked together at basketball games. While I was coaching both boys and girls basketball, Otto was always Mr. Reliable in keeping the books. No one did it better. I also had many long bus rides with Otto to and from games and found him to be a caring, thoughtful and fun person. I and his whole Saranac family will miss him around school and at the games. It just won't be the same.
My condolences to all his family who knew and loved him.

Jim Van Goor

Jim Van Goor

I first met Otto Laabs while I was a student in his typing class at Saranac Middle School. For some Mr. Laabs could be a hard teacher to work with; but I know I can speak for most of us that while he could be hard on us at times, it was only because he wanted us to succeed not only in his class(es) but in life itself.

During my time on the Saranac High School track team, I had the privilege to get know Otto Laabs the man. And what a great man, indeed, he was! I can not think of a more generous yet modest teacher who took an active interest in his current/former students' well being than he did.

Throughout the years he lovingly supported the Saranac community by his regular presence at various Redskins sports functions whether it was as a coach or later as a game score keeper. He was the Number one Redskins fan! He will be sorely missed!

John Patton

I don't know where to begin. Mr. Laabs was one of my favorite teachers. 1) He taught me to not only type, but type without looking at my keys (and very fast)... In fact, 40 years later, I still find myself typing words in the air the way he taught us to practice when we weren't at school in front of a typewriter!!!! ha! 2) He taught me to drive. Even though he gave up on me parallel parking (he'd be proud of me now - I finally got it!!!), we had fun times in the car while he was teaching us... 3) He taught me Accounting... He not only explained the skill of accounting, but also how to run a business. I did well in all of his classes, because he was so encouraging that it made me want to do better to make him proud... Even though it was his profession to teach me and so many thousands of other students (my 3 siblings included) over the many years at SHS, he took teaching to a much higher level. He taught so many life lessons that I use to this day....and am so thankful for having had the pleasure of knowing & being taught by Mr. Otto Laabs. May he rest in peace. My deepest condolenses to Mr. Laabs' family.

Marla (Wheelock) Life
SHS Class of 1974

Marla (Wheelock) Life

Mr. Laabs was my teacher at Saranac High School during my Junior and Senior years. (1961-63) He taught my typing I and II classes, along with Bookkeeping and Shorthand. In fact, I had to decide between taking Shorthand and German II because they were both offered at the same time. Even though I loved German I and knew it would help with my plans for college, I chose to take Shorthand (I still think in Shorthand even though I've never used it after the class) mainly because of my love and appreciation for Mr. Laabs. He was my favorite teacher and inspired me to believe in myself.I've thought of him often.

Mary Bayer (Saur)

Otto, Thanks for the many, many, years of service in Saranac Schools. You have touched the hearts of every student and teacher that ever passed through the Saranac school system. Your dedication to your work has always shown through the results of your teaching. You have given so many students the skills that are used everyday. Not one day has passed that I haven't used at least one of the life skills that you have taught me. Thank you so much for everything that you have contributed to the community. I will miss visiting with you at the post office everyday. Rest in Peace my friend, you will be missed.

Paul Denny

Otto and I were friends for a long time. We attended a lot of University of Michigan football games at the Big House.

He was a caring man. His heart was always with the Saranac kids whom he taught and coached, i.e. Golf. For over fifty years Otto strolled the sidelines of the Saranac football games recording the stats.
He was a leader in his local MEA unit, the Saranac Education Association. He also represented his local at the county level and at the state level on various committees. When he retired he was a delegate to state MEA-Retired.
I will miss him.

George L Worden

George L Worden

My condolences to the Laabs family on the passing of Otto Laabs. Mr. Laabs was my golf coach. He went out of his way, spending extra time and often using personal funds, to support and encourage us in improving our game. In one way, Otto Laabs may have been the most influential teacher I studied under at SHS. He was our teacher for Typing I and II, a skill that has served me well for decades. Thank you Mr. Laabs for those years of faithful service to SHS.
Andrew Hill
Class of 1970

Andrew Hill

So sorry to hear about Mr. Laabs passing! :( I had him for Typing, Driver's Ed and Golf. Very thankful for his teaching. I will always remember one time during golf practice... I was very frustrated, not hitting the ball off the tee well and he and I were getting upset at each other. He drew a funny face on a golf ball, put it on the tee in front of me and said, "This is my face. Now hit that ball!" Well, I hit that ball super far. Then we laughed together and I valued his sense of humor and we had laughs about that time for years after. He was really great!

Wendy (Harley) Grant

I had Mr. Laabs for all 3 years of middle school for keyboarding and business and a year in high school. He had a great sense of humor, playing his "CD player" and having us type to circus music. At the time, it might have seemed silly, but to this day, the skills he taught me, and countless other students, have proven to be the most useful!! I don't use math much or have to write a paper or critique Shakespeare but I sure do have to type effectively everyday and my WPM have always stayed high because of Mr. Laabs as my teacher. Such a sweet man and he will be missed.