By Railfan & Railroad Staff
Patrick J. Ottensmeyer, the final chief executive officer of Kansas City Southern who helped orchestrate that railroad’s 2023 merger with Canadian Pacific Railway, has died. He was 66 years old.
Pat served as President and CEO of KCS from 2015 until April 14, 2023, upon the completion of the combination of CP and KCS that created CPKC. From 2008 to 2015, he was Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing at KCS and served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at the railroad from 2006 to 2008.
“Pat’s vision and leadership played a monumental role in the great history of Kansas City Southern as he helped reshape the railway industry,” said Keith Creel, CPKC President and CEO. “We have lost a remarkable leader and a cherished friend. Pat’s legacy lives on and can be seen in the work we do every day at CPKC. His contributions as a railroader and as a person will never be forgotten.”
Among his many career recognitions, Ottensmeyer received the North American Rail Shippers Association Edward R. Hamberger Lifetime Achievement Award in 2023. He was a two-time Railway Age Railroader of the Year (2020 and 2022) and received Progressive Railroading’s Railroad Innovator Award in 2019.
CPKC will honor Ottensmeyer by lowering flags to half-mast across its network.
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