Career officer’s 51 years of service
Rick Ottaway army officer b February 6, 1948 d December 30, 2018
Brigadier Rick Ottaway, who has died of cancer aged 70, was one of the longest-serving members of the New Zealand Defence Force, who clocked up an astonishing 51 years of service.
His time in the Defence Force was littered with career achievements including serving in Vietnam, being commander at Linton Military Camp, and secretary of Veterans’ Affairs.
His time in Vietnam is thought to have contributed to his cancer, as he developed a soft tissue sarcoma, which is one of five cancers linked to the use of Agent Orange during the war.
Veterans’ Minister Ron Mark said Ottaway totally refocused Veterans’ Affairs. ‘‘Brigadier Ottaway has left an outstanding legacy and his loss will be sorely felt right across the Defence family. He was a highly intelligent, empathetic and talented leader, who made a positive difference wherever he went.’’
Mark said Ottaway’s service in Vietnam could not be overstated. ‘‘Rick was very reluctant to talk about that and, if it ever affected him, you would never have known.
‘‘His service in the NZDF following that was distinguished. You don’t get to the rank of brigadier without hard work and talent.’’
Mark said he had been a regular force cadet with Ottaway. ‘‘So when I got to serve with him, and learn from him, not only was it a great honour, it made me a better soldier.
‘‘The main thing I learnt from him, and one I have always carried with me, was to put your people first, always. Something I saw him do on many occasions.’’
Mark said that, to put it simply, Ottaway was a hero to many. ‘‘He served this country above and beyond what could be expected of anyone.
‘‘He has earned all the kind words that have been said about him since his passing and I for one am proud to have known and learnt from him.’’
Ottaway was born in Auckland and attended Mt Roskill Grammar School before he enlisted in the army in 1964 as a cadet at Waiouru.
He attended officer cadet school and graduated into the New Zealand Army Service Corps in the rank of second lieutenant in 1968.
For most of 1971 he was serving in Singapore with the infantry battalion before being posted to Vietnam in November.
He returned to New Zealand in December 1972, and was posted to Papakura as the headquarters captain.
Ottaway had another Singapore posting, and training roles at Burnham, Waiouru, and Linton, before heading to the Joint Services Staff College in Canberra.
Following the completion of the course, he joined the New Zealand high commission in Canberra.
When he came back to New Zealand in 1990, Ottaway took up the appointment of Commander Ready Reaction Force, which his son Matthew said was a career highlight for his father.
This was due to the fact the army started deploying, after a long break, to places such as Bosnia and Somalia, which Matthew said professionally was a highlight for his father.
Another highlight was in the early 2000s when the army started receiving more modern equipment, including new radio systems and light armoured vehicles.
Rick Ottaway was awarded the MBE in 1985, the Vietnam Medal in 1971 and the Vietnamese Campaign Medal in 1972.
He was also awarded the New Zealand Armed Forces Award in 1980 and a clasp to that award in 1995.
Matthew Ottaway said his father was a warm, intelligent, outgoing man and, when he retired, he was heavily involved in Rotary and did a lot of charity work.
He also travelled with his wife, Jacqui, heading to places they wanted to visit, rather than travel that came with the job.
Although his father didn’t talk to him much about his time in Vietnam, Matthew said it seemed to be something of a family tradition to keep their cards close to their chest and not talk to their sons about their time at war.
Matthew Ottaway said his grandfather had talked to him about his time in World War II, but never to his son.
Then before that, his greatgrandfather had told Rick Ottaway about his time in World War I, but never told his son.
‘‘There was always this skipping a generation thing.’’
Matthew Ottaway said that, because his father was in the military for so long, some people believed he had only one job.
‘‘But that’s not how it works. He’s had just as many jobs as anyone else, just in the same organisation.’’
– By Kirsty Lawrence