Colin Geoffrey Ottinger, 28, of Salisbury Township, died peacefully surrounded by his loving family at his bedside Aug. 12, 2016, in Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Township. Born in Reading, he was the beloved son of Joseph G. and Charlene E. (Fink) Ottinger with whom he resided.

A cancer survivor diagnosed at the early age of 12, he attended Salisbury Middle School where he was a member of the soccer team. He was an active participant of the Salisbury Youth Association and was a gifted striker for a travel soccer team before becoming ill. He was a member of the National Honor Society and the 2006 graduating class at Salisbury High School. He continued his education at Ursinus College, majoring in English and minored in music, graduating in 2011 Summa Cum Laude. After fighting back from his illness and numerous surgeries, he was excited to be starting a new job with Scribes America working with the Lehigh Valley Physicians Group.

A talented artist who was self taught, he was an award recipient and accepted artist at the New Hope Art League Juried Art Show. An author of two published fiction books, he had written a third and was beginning work on a fourth.

In his spare time, he could often be found at Putt U, Center Valley, with his dad, honing their miniature golf skills. In 2011 he won the individual championship tournament and this year he and his dad won the best score tournament. He had played there more than 400 times, most recently participating in The U.S. Open of Miniature Golf in May.

He traveled the world a little bit and made wonderful memories, when he and his family received a cruise to the Caribbean from Dream Come True a few years ago.

He is survived by his parents; sister, Lindsay and her husband Daniel Swavely, of Lower Saucon Township; treasured nieces, Ava and Mila; half-brother, Jonathan Wiltrout, of North Carolina; paternal grandmother, Dolores (Foley) Ottinger, of Warminster; uncles; aunts; cousins; therapy dog, Arya. He was predeceased by his paternal grandfather, maternal grandparents and his beloved therapy dog, Buddie who was his partner 15 years.

Contributions may be made to Dream Come True, P.O. Box 21167, Lehigh Valley, 18002 or the Ronald McDonald Camp, 3925 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, 19104.

Arrangements were made by the J.S. Burkholder Funeral Home, Allentown.