Chicago heart surgeon killed in Wyoming plane crash

2 aircraft collide, killing Dr. Ralph E. Otto of Wilmette and 2 others die By Susan Kuczka | Chicago Tribune reporter A cardiac surgeon from Resurrection Medical Center in Chicago was among three people killed in a midair collision of two single-engine planes in southwestern Wyoming, authorities said Monday. Dr. Ralph E. Otto, 67, of Wilmette was killed Sunday when the Cirrus SR22 that he and another man were flying in was struck by a Cessna 172 about 5 miles northwest of the Rock Springs- Sweetwater County Airport, authorities said. "We're all devastated by his loss," said Evelyn O'Connor, public relations manager at Resurrection, where Dr. Otto had been on staff since 1978. Also killed in the crash were C. Michael Downey, also 67, a retired doctor from Columbus, Ohio, and Dave Knezovich, 54, of Rock Springs, the Sweetwater... [read full story]