Otto Thomas Meer

Otto Thomas Meer (Tommy,  Ottitito) was born September 23, 1939 in Budapest, Hungary.  He was an only child born to Henrik Meer and Margit Meer (Guttmann).  They lived a comfortable life with his father working as the head of an orthopedic hospital, and his mom as a skilled baker.  They had many friends and family near them.

At age 3, Otto and his parents, were forced into hiding during World War 2.  They were hid by several kind and brave families, risking their own lives.  Eventually, Otto’s family was caught and forced to live in the Hungarian Ghetto.  Food was scarce and conditions unmentionable.  Otto’s mom was forced to work as a baker.  Otto recalled  fondly how his mom snuck out little crumbs of food for him, hidden in her undergarments. Eventually, Otto’s family was brought before a firing squad for execution.  Just as the soldiers momentarily left for more ammunition, Russian soldiers arrived and freed them.  Most of their other friends and relatives were sent to concentration camps, but did not survive.

 Later, as an adult, after completing college in Hungary, Otto and a friend decided to escape the increasingly oppressive new regime.  Otto was very proud of his daring night time escape sneaking past several checkpoints, and  under barbed wire fences, once again escaping death.

Otto emigrated to London, and his parents later followed.  Otto worked as a tailor and a ship’s steward.

 He then emigrated to the US settling in Southern, California, where he worked as a realtor, selling large commercial properties and apartment complexes.  He was proud to be honored in the Million dollar club for sales.

Otto later entered the security field, selling security services and cameras to many hospitals, schools, garages, colleges, manufacturers, and hotels, working for Vas Security, and Edgeworth Security.  Otto loved to work, and worked until the day he died, September 8, 2025, just shy of his 86th birthday.

Otto enjoyed tennis, music, ping pong, hiking, yoga, socializing, panning for gold, walking, telling jokes and spirited political discussions.  He loved Mexican food, buffets, and the occasional trip to Las Vegas.  Otto could understand and speak 6 languages and was always trying to learn new ones.  Otto had friends in the US and in many countries and will be sorely missed.