Richard Ottinger
Richard Ottinger | |
|---|---|
 Ottinger in 1979 | |
| Dean of the Pace University School of Law | |
| In office 1994–1999 | |
| Preceded by | Barbara Black (acting) |
| Succeeded by | David Cohen |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York | |
| In office January 3, 1975 – January 3, 1985 | |
| Preceded by | Ogden Reid |
| Succeeded by | Joseph DioGuardi |
| Constituency | 24th district (1975–1983) 20th district (1983–1985) |
| In office January 3, 1965 – January 3, 1971 | |
| Preceded by | Robert Barry |
| Succeeded by | Peter Peyser |
| Constituency | 25th district |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Richard Lawrence Ottinger January 27, 1929 New York City, U.S. |
| Died | February 16, 2026 (aged 97) Mamaroneck, New York, U.S. |
| Party | Democratic |
| Spouses | |
| Relations | Albert Ottinger (uncle) |
| Children | 4 |
| Education | Cornell University (BA) Harvard University (LLB) Georgetown University |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch |  United States Air Force |
| Service years | 1955–1957 |
| Rank | Captain |
Richard Lawrence Ottinger (January 27, 1929 – February 16, 2026) was an American attorney, politician and law professor from the state of New York. A member of the Democratic Party, Ottinger served in the United States House of Representatives from 1965 to 1971 and again from 1975 to 1985. Ottinger was the Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in 1970, but was defeated by Conservative James Buckley.
Early years
Ottinger was born in New York City on January 27, 1929.[2] He was the son of Louise (Loewenstein), a philanthropist, who supported the arts, and Lawrence Ottinger, a businessman and founder of U.S. Plywood.[3] He was the nephew of Albert Ottinger, a Republican who served as Attorney General of New York from 1925 to 1928.[1] He attended the public schools of Scarsdale, New York and graduated from the Loomis School in Windsor, Connecticut in 1946.[1][2] He received a bachelor of arts degree from Cornell University in 1950 and graduated from Harvard Law School in 1953.[1] He also studied international law at Georgetown University. He served in the United States Air Force from 1955 to 1957 and was discharged as a captain.[2]
Ottinger was admitted to the New York bar and practiced international and corporate law. He was the second staff member of the Peace Corps, serving as director of programs for the west coast of South America from 1961 to 1964.[1][2]
Political career
U.S. House of Representatives (1965–1971)
In the 1964 elections, Ottinger was elected as a Democrat to the 89th United States Congress and was re-elected twice in 1966 and 1968.[2] He represented New York's 25th congressional district,[4] which included all of Putnam County and part of Westchester County. After the 1964 election, the result was challenged by Ottinger's opponent, incumbent U.S. Rep. Robert Barry. Barry alleged that Ottinger used a loophole in election laws to spend $193,000 of his own money to get around a contribution limit of $8,000 in the race. According to Barry, Ottinger set up multiple committees and gave money to all of them. Most prominently, Ottinger's mother, Louise, and sister, Patricia Heath, had set up 22 different committees that in turn donated $6,000 apiece to his campaign.[5]
U.S. Senate campaign (1970)
In the 1970 elections, Ottinger gave up his House seat to run on the Democratic ticket for United States Senator from New York. In the 1970 election, Ottinger split the liberal vote with the Republican (and Liberal-endorsed) nominee, incumbent Senator Charles Goodell (who was appointed by Governor Nelson Rockefeller after the assassination of Senator Robert F. Kennedy). Both were defeated by the nominee of the Conservative party, James L. Buckley, in a three-way race.[6]
Return to U.S. House of Representatives (1975–1985)
In 1974, Ottinger was elected to the House from New York's 24th congressional district. (He previously sought to return to Congress in 1972, but was defeated.)[2] He was re-elected to the four successive Congresses (in 1976, 1978, 1980, and 1982). Ottinger represented New York's 24th congressional district from 1975 to 1983 and represented New York's 20th congressional district from 1983 to 1985. He did not seek re-election in 1984.[4][2] He bolstered his reputation as a leading legislator by founding the bipartisan Environmental Study Conference (ESC) in the House of Representatives in 1975, which grew to a membership of over 150 members in less than a year.[7]
Academic career
After retiring from Congress, Ottinger became a professor at the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University. He founded an environmental law program there and served as the law school dean from 1995 to 1999.[8] He was named dean emeritus of the law school following his retirement.[2]
Personal life and death
Ottinger was Jewish.[9]
Ottinger was hospitalized on January 30, 2026, undergoing surgery for an intracerebral hemorrhage. He spent his final days in palliative care at his home in Mamaroneck, New York until his death on February 16, 2026 at the age of 97. He was survived by his wife, June (née Godfrey), whom he had married in 1987, as well as four children and 10 grandchildren.[1][8]
See also
Sources
- ^ a b c d e f g Fried, Joseph P.; Gabriel, Trip (February 16, 2026). "Richard Ottinger, 97, Dies; Fought for the Environment in Congress". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved February 16, 2026.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "OTTINGER, Richard Lawrence | US House of Representatives: History, Art & Archives". history.house.gov. Retrieved February 16, 2026.
- ^ "Louise L. Ottinger, 98, Philanthropist, Dies". The New York Times. December 18, 1997. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved February 17, 2026.
- ^ a b "Representative Richard L. Ottinger". congress.gov. Retrieved February 18, 2026.
- ^ "Rep. Barry Gives Challenge On Democrat Ottinger Win". Lawrence Journal-News. December 26, 1964.
- ^ "Buckley Wins Hottest Senate Race". New York Daily News. November 4, 1970. pp. 3, 6. Retrieved October 1, 2022.
- ^ March 5, 1975, Dear Colleague letter to Members of the House of Representatives, signed by 15 Members of the interim Executive Committee.
- ^ a b McKenna, Chris (February 16, 2026). "Richard Ottinger, former NY congressman and Pace law dean, dies at 97". The Journal News. Retrieved February 16, 2026.
- ^ "Six Jews Elected to House of Representatives; Nine Re-elected". jta.org. November 5, 1964. Retrieved February 18, 2026.
External links
- United States Congress. "Richard Ottinger (id: O000134)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
