Nov. 4, 1927 – Nov. 12, 2024
Robert O. Gottschalk, 97, Rochester, passed away at 4:42 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, at his residence.
He was born on Nov. 4, 1927, in Fulton County, the son of Fred and Helen (Shuman) Gottschalk. Robert graduated from Fulton High School in 1945 and continued his education at Indiana Institute of Technology. He served with the United States Army during World War II with the 7708th War Crimes Group stationed in Germany. On Aug. 27, 1948, in Rochester, he married Elaine Weller, and she survives.
Robert had worked as a dairy farmer from 1954 to 1969 and had worked as an insurance agent, real estate broker and the trustee of Rochester Township. In 1972, he established Gottschalk Realty from where he retired.
He was a member of the First Christian Church, Masonic Lodge 32nd Degree, Scottish Rite, American Legion, Farm and Land Institute, was on the Rochester School Board from 1971-1974, National Association of Realtors, Fulton County Board of Realtors, serving as their president from 1972-1973 and winning Realtor of the Year award in 1984. He was also a member of the Rochester Rotary Club, and served as Rotary President from 1972-1973 and was on the board of directors in 1983, as well as serving on the board for First National Bank. He was the Fulton County Family Y President in 1975 and an honor society member of the Indiana Association of Realtors and served as President for AFLM in 1981-1982. Robert won the Rochester-Lake Manitou Chamber of Commerce Community Service Award in 1990 and received a Certificate of Appreciation from the Daughters of American Revolution, Fulton County Civil Defense Appreciation Award in 1981, Indiana Farm and Land Realtor of the Year in 1983 and the American Red Cross Appreciation Award in 1990.
Robert had created the Rochester Development Company, owning and developing the downtown Rochester quarter block after Wiles Department Store burned, and brought in two new retail stores. He also had partnership owning and developing the Ribordy Drug Store Building, as well as Partner Guaranteed Trade Inc. of rental properties. In his spare time, he enjoyed playing golf, reading and ice cream.
Survivors include his wife, Elaine Gottschalk, Rochester; daughter, Connie Hudkins, Rochester; sons, David (Deana) Gottschalk, Rochester, Steve (Carol) Gottschalk, Rochester; daughter-in-law, Debbie (Jim) Frost, Rochester; grandchildren, Dean (Natasha) Gottschalk, Emily (Franz) Forman, Leslie (Heather Easley) Gottschalk, Evan (Emily) Gottschalk, Lana (Kyle) Wilson, Allie (Jason) Doerffler, Zac (Jasmine) Gottschalk; great-grandchildren, Mia Gottschalk, Madeline, Katie, Jackson Forman, Madeline Gottschalk, Jane, Luke, Alice, Drew Gottschalk, Parker, Piper, Porter Wilson, Olivia, Caleb, Emma Doerffler, Aurora, Elijah, Isaiah Gottschalk; brother, James Gottschalk, Ft. Myers, Fla.; sister, Phyllis (Jim) Bird, Logansport; and several nieces and nephews.
Preceding him in death were his parents; son, Richard (Dick) Gottschalk; infant daughter, Cathy Gottschalk; brother, William Gottschalk; and sister, Mary Ruth Keim.
Memorial services will be conducted by Rev. Mike VanHeyningen at noon Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, at First Christian Church, Rochester. Friends may visit with the family from 10 a.m.-noon Saturday at the church. Burial will follow in the Odd Fellows Cemetery, Rochester, with military rites being performed.
Memorial contributions may be made to the First Christian Church, Rochester. Arrangements are being handled by Zimmerman Bros. Funeral Home, Rochester. Online condolences may be expressed at www.zimmermanbrosfh.com.
