While on a visit to the Great Wall of China in 1987, Otis met a woman from North Carolina, then married her a year later. They are still married and "happy as can be".

He learned to fly in the early 80's, then gave it up because it was too expensive. So, he learned to play bluegrass music on the banjo and still enjoys that today. "My singing groups have grown to include the Boise Master Chorale and the Boise Hospice singers, as well as still singing in a church choir and in a men's quartet." He retired as an Associate Professor of Mathematics at Boise State University in Idaho, the school with the blue football field.

Otis spends his free time backpacking, tent camping and flatwater kayaking. He has developed an interest in photography and finally has a darkroom that he can use to process his photos. His other interests include both dramatic and musical live theater.