Kenneth Otterson, Designer & Volunteer, Dies at 78 in Elmhurst

Kenneth Otterson, a resident celebrated for his diverse talents and community contributions, died Wednesday at the Stratford Convalescent Center in Elmhurst, Illinois. He was 78. Chronic pulmonary disease was the cause of death.

Born in Pennington, Connecticut, Otterson served in the Army, reaching the rank of chief warrant officer. He attended the Pennington School and graduated from the Traphagen School of Design. As a design instructor at the New York School of Design, he moved to Chicago after living in Florence, Italy, and Paris, France.

Otterson was an active community member. He belonged to the Fresh Air Society, an organization he founded to promote smoke-free environments after his wife, Casey Penfield Baldridge, died of lung cancer. An avid gardener, Otterson volunteered for many years at the Morton Arboretum, which honored his contributions by naming a hybrid rose, "Cookie's Cluster." He was an accomplished swimmer, competing for the U.S. Masters swimming team. Otterson also won the Elmhurst Scrabble Tournament five times.

He is survived by his longtime companion, Casey Bennington, and his sister, Nancy Walsh, of Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Serenity Hospice staff and volunteers provided care.

Services for Kenneth Otterson will be held Saturday, September 19, 2026, at 2 p.m. at the Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle, Illinois. A reception will follow from 3 to 5 p.m. Burial will be private. Memorial contributions may be mailed to the Fresh Air Society, 1940 Botts Avenue, Chicago, IL 60601.