Herman Robert Otness, 1907-1995

Herman Robert Otness

University of Idaho psychology professor Herman Robert Otness was born November 22, 1907 in Moscow, Idaho, to Robert and Christina Otness. He graduated from Moscow High School in 1926, and received his bachelor of science and master of science degrees from the University of Idaho in 1931 and 1932 respectively. He taught high school level physics and algebra at a private academy in Moscow before moving to New York City, where he attended New York University, in 1935. In 1939 he received a doctor of clinical psychology degree from NYU and went to work as chief clinical psychologist for The Training School at Vineland, New Jersey.

In 1943 he joined the U.S. Naval Reserve as a lieutenant and was stationed in Norfolk, Virginia. In 1945 he was transferred to the Naval Training Center at Farragut, Idaho, where his duties included screening combat personnel for re-entry into civilian life. Following his discharge in 1946 he joined the psychology department at Washington State College for one year before becoming director of research and training at the Rainier State School in Buckley, Washington.

He returned to Moscow in 1950 and became an associate professor in the University of Idaho department of psychology where he remained until his retirement in 1971. During this time he was presented an Outstanding Faculty Member Award by the Associated Students (ASUI). In addition to his teaching duties he gave many addresses throughout the Northwest and organized several symposia dealing with mental retardation.

Throughout his career he was an advocate for people with mental and physical disabilities. In 1973 he was the first recipient of the American Association on Mental Deficiency's Edgar A. Doll award.

He and his wife, Lillian, were involved with the Moscow Community Theater stage productions in many capacities including acting. He became a practitioner of magic and sleight-of-hand tricks. Under the stage name of Zingo and Lingo, the couple performed for many benefit shows, and also entertained neighborhood children for Christmas and the Fourth of July.

He married Lillian Woodworth on July 15, 1945. They had one son, Robert. H. Robert Otness died in Moscow on April 21, 1995.

Lillian Gritman Woodworth Otness

Lillian (Woodworth) Otness, a descendant of one of Moscow's founding families, was born to Jay and Lillie Woodworth on December 21, 1908. She graduated from Moscow High School in 1926. She graduated with highest honors in 1930 from the University of Idaho where she was a member of Delta Gamma Sorority. She was active in arts, sports, and was a member of the women's rifle team. Following graduation she worked at Klamath Union High School in Klamath Falls, Oregon, where she coached girls' basketball, baseball, volleyball, and tennis. In 1933 she moved to the southern branch of the University of Idaho (now Idaho State University) where she became director of women's athletics. She also taught a variety of dance classes. She earned her master of science in education from the UI in 1940, and a second masters degree in English in 1961.

She married H. Robert Otness at Farragut Naval Reserve Station on July 15, 1945; the couple had one son, Robert Jay. She frequently joined her husband in performing magic shows as Lingo in the team of Zingo and Lingo. She was also very active in the field of historic preservation and wrote a book on local history titled "A Great Good Country: A Guide to Historic Moscow and Latah County, Idaho" (1983). Lillian Otness died in Moscow on July 22, 1994.

From the guide to the Papers, 1916-1995, (University of Idaho Library Special Collections and Archives)