COLUMBIA - Leslie Arlen Cotter completed a long, fruitful life on Thursday, February 4, 2010. Born in Columbia, S.C. on March 10, 1929, he was the son of the late Marie (Shurtleff) and Leslie Angus Cotter. His deep love for “all things Columbia” began as he grew up attending Schneider Elementary, Hand Junior High and Dreher High Schools. Always the student, Mr. Cotter excelled academically. He was also a valued member of the tennis team and the staff of the school newspaper, even as he earned the rank of Eagle Scout with Gold Palm. His commitment to the Boy Scouts was life long. In recent years he worked tirelessly to see that the buildings at the re-located Camp Barstow were done well. He served on the Indian Waters Council Board and the Camp Barstow Development Committee.
Arlen Cotter was a Cum Laude Civil Engineer graduate of the University of South Carolina. He was a member of Omicron Delta Kappa and Epsilon Lambda Sigma, honorary Engineering Society. Arlen earned a Masters degree with Honors in Civil Engineering from the Georgia Technical Institute in Atlanta, Georgia. His keen mind and eye for precise detail served him well in his chosen profession.
He had the honor of serving his country when he joined the Army in 1951. His tours of duty took him to the Presidio in California and to Panama. After his Army career he joined his father with Cotter and Company building homes and numerous businesses. In the 1960’s he partnered with others to form the Home Builders Association, an organization that even today seeks to encourage high ethical standards in the building profession. Dutch Square Mall was developed and built as a result of his collaborative efforts with several others. He was tenacious in his oversight of all the details. Gregg Park, a beautiful subdivision located in Forest Acres, also was created with the help of several other developers. Active membership in the Columbia Board of Realtors spanned over twenty years.
Faith has been at the core of Arlen Cotter’s life. Life-long membership and service to the Washington Street United Methodist Church has blessed fellow members in many ways that are clearly visible, but also in many ways that were quietly kept only to himself and close family. He served as founding member and trustee of the WSUMC Foundation, served as the chairman of the Administrative Board of Trustees, the Organ Committee and numerous other committees. His was a servant’s heart.
Love of art led him to become an avid supporter of the Columbia Museum of Art. Again, his knowledge of building was used when the current Museum was designed and built on Main Street. His business acumen was invaluable as he served on the Museum Board of Trustees. The L. Arlen Cotter Award is given each year to the outstanding Museum volunteers.
Love of Alma Mater, the University of South Carolina, found him remaining active in the School of Engineering long after graduating. He was honored by being selected to join the Engineering 1894 Society. The University Associates, The Guardian Society and The Gamecock Club also claimed him as a supportive member.
Love of education was demonstrated in his service to multiple schools. He served on the Board of Visitors of Columbia College, the Board of Trustees of Converse College, the Board of Trustees of Hammond School, and the Board of Visitors of Washington and Lee University Reeves Center.
Love of his hometown, Columbia, kept Arlen ever ready to seek positive growth among her citizens. The Central Carolina Community Foundation found a discerning, conscientious trustee in him as non-profit organizations of the city were encouraged and funded through careful investing and grant making. Columbians were blessed, perhaps unaware, by Arlen’s tenacious presence for years on the City Planning Commission, the Richland County Assessment Appeals Board and Central Midlands COATS Advisory Committee which studied and assessed the transportation and transit needs for Richland and Lexington Counties. The Palmetto Health Heart Hospital Building Committee was afforded his counsel during the planning and building process of a beautiful, state-of-the-art facility. He was a life member of the Richland Sertoma Club.
Love of friends and fellowship prompted Arlen to become a member of the Quadrille, the Camellia Ball, Forest Lake Club, Flamenco Club, Taratella the Saint Andrew’s Society and the Forest Lake Wednesday Book Club.
Love of family never left his list of priorities. Annual family reunions were never missed by Arlen, affectionately called “R” by all. Having a special relationship with the youngest to the oldest family member took precedence in planning his busy calendar. He was intentional in his commitment to know and love his family.
Arlen Cotter is survived by his wife, Janet (Alexander) Cotter; his son and daughter-in-law, Leslie Arlen Cotter, Jr. and Elizabeth; his daughter, Janelle (Jan) Cotter Jenkins; and five grandchildren, Caroline Reeves Cotter, Elizabeth (Beth) Alexander Cotter, Leslie (Les) Arlen Cotter III, Janet Cotter Jenkins and Forest Norton Jenkins, III. He is also survived by his brother and sister-in-law, Dr. and Mrs. Julian Roy (Dianne) Cotter of Gainesville, Florida; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Randolph (Libby) Murdaugh, III of Varnville, SC; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Dr. and Mrs. Milton Donald (Lisa) Alexander, Jr. of Columbia; and many nieces and nephews. Arlen’s nephews will serve as pallbearers.
L. Arlen Cotter loved and has been loved. His was life well-lived with trust and faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of Salvation.
Visitation will be at the home, 4744 Quail Lane, Columbia, SC 29206 on Saturday, February 6 from 4:00 to 6:00 PM. The funeral service will be held at Washington Street United Methodist Church on Sunday, February

7 at 4:00 PM with interment in Elmwood Cemetery following the service. Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel, is assisting the family.
Memorials may be made to Washington Street United Methodist Church Foundation, 1401 Washington Street, Columbia, SC 29201, The Columbia Museum of Art, 1515 Main Street, Columbia, SC 29201, or The L. Arlen Cotter Scholarship Fund, College of Engineering, c/o The University of South Carolina Educational Foundation, Columbia, SC 29208.