West Newsmagazine 7-18-18

14 I NEWS I
July 18, 2018
WEST NEWSMAGAZINE
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16962 Manchester Road • 636.273.6111 • Wildwood, MO 63040
By BONNIE KRUEGER
Jeff Ottenad was passionate about running.
But due to being born with a multitude
of challenges, he did not walk until
nearly age 3.
“To think that he would become a runner
is incredible,” shared his mom, Marilyn,
who has served as a Ward 2 alderman in
Manchester since 1998. “Jeff was committed,
tenacious and inspiring,”
He also was accomplished. He was
determined to overcome his physical
limits by running with the Parkway South
High track and cross country teams, being
named “Most Improved” for besting his
mile from 7 minutes to 5:30.
Jeff also competed on a grander scale
with Special Olympics. For 20 years, Jeff
consistently won gold medals in the 1,500-
meter and 3,000-meter races at the Special
Olympic Summer State Games. He won a
silver medal at the 1995 World Games in
the 5,000-meter race and was selected to
run in the International Games.
If Jeff had a secondary passion, it was
local law enforcement. Combining his two
passions, Jeff began running in the annual
Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special
Olympics event in 1996. The Torch Run
began in 1981 and now
serves as the movement’s
largest public awareness
and fundraising group for
Special Olympics.
“As far as we know, Jeff
was the first civilian to run
with the police at the annual
Torch Run,” Marilyn said.
In a cruel twist of fate,
Jeff was diagnosed with an
aggressive form of osteosarcoma
that required the
amputation of his left leg
above the knee. Capt. Jim
Moran, St. Louis City Police, pushed Jeff
in his wheelchair during his final Torch
Run in 2001. He passed away on Jan.
6, 2002. The local six-mile route from
Ameristar Casino to O’Fallon, along Hwy.
70, was renamed the “Jeff Ottenad Route”
posthumously.
Sadly, Jeff would never run alongside his
beloved Manchester police, who did not
join the Torch Run until 2006. That was the
same year the city of Manchester began its
annual “Clean Up for Special Olympics”
event, which complements the Torch Run.
The 13th Annual “Clean Up” event was
on May 24 at Tucker’s Place West. Owners
Tom and Debra Struharik have hosted each
of the past events and continue to be the
No. 1 benefactor of the event. During the
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Annual ‘Clean Up for Special
Olympics’ event has local tie
event, local police officers act as bussers
for the evening, cleaning up after diners
and earning donations for their efforts.
This year’s event volunteers included Lt.
Craig Smith, Lt. Buck Lancey, Det. Nikki
Priest, Officer Jason Dowdell, Officer Meredith
Absolon, Records Clerk Barb Schlitt,
Officer Evan Waters, Evan’s wife Michelle,
Officer Travon Green, Sgt. Dan West and
Chief Tim Walsh. Many of whom acted
as bussers for the evening. Representing
Manchester in the Torch Run this year
were Det. Nikki Priest, Officer Kevin Restivo
and Sgt. Brian Yount.
Walsh credits Waters with being a big
part of the event’s overall success.
“Like Dave Ebert before him, Evan
works very hard at putting things together.
That includes continuously seeking volunteers
for both the Torch Run and the
busboy positions, and placing announcements
anywhere that anyone will read
them. If you have ever made the mistake
of writing us a check, Evan has your name
and address and he will be sending you an
announcement that the Clean Up For Special
Olympics event is again being planned
and if you’re not going to come, he still
wants your check,” Walsh joked. “It simply
couldn’t have gone off without him.”
Alderman Marilyn Ottenad [left] looks on from the dais as
Tucker’s Place owners Tom and Debra Struharik, Police Chief
Tim Walsh and Officer Evan Waters present a check to Stacey
Koeller [second from right] for Special Olympics of Missouri.
This year’s fundraising total counting
T-shirt sales, donations and half of the evening’s
receipts came to $11,722.36. However,
every time the city thinks it’s reached
a final total, someone new donates to the
cause. In 13 years, the city of Manchester
has raised more than $117,000 for the Special
Olympics.
“This the most important time of year for
our family, including Jeff’s two brothers,
John and Jason. I’m especially grateful to
Tucker’s Place. We couldn’t do it without
them,” said Marilyn.
“... we’re fortunate to be a part of the
event,” Struharik said after presenting Special
Olympics with this year’s check at the
Manchester Board of Aldermen meeting
on July 2.