Charlie Hott Remembered as Leader in School Bus Safety

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — Charlie Hott, a former safety standards engineer for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), died on Aug. 13. He was 67.

At NHTSA, Hott worked on numerous school bus safety issues. He was a key contact at the federal agency for pupil transportation associations, and he often gave presentations at industry conferences. He also participated in the National Congress on School Transportation, the assembly held every five years to update school bus specifications and procedures.

On the funeral home website where Hott’s obituary is posted, numerous school transportation community members have commented on Hott’s safety expertise and his influential role in the industry.

“I was always impressed with Charlie's knowledge and appreciated so much his dedication to safe transportation in the student transportation industry,” wrote Vicki Barnett of the Arizona Department of Public Safety. “He was so helpful to me and many others over the years.”

Hott, who was born in Sharpsburg, Maryland, graduated from Johns Hopkins University with a Bachelor of Science degree. He also served in the U.S. Navy for 13 years.