Horst Hans Erhard Gutsfeld Ltc Usar Ret.

Passed away unexpectedly December 4, 2010, born February 2, 1937, and survived by his wife, Maria Gutsfeld; daughters Sylvia Borgonovo and Monica Gutsfeld, stepdaughter Kristina Capeheart, stepson Gerald Priddle; grandchildren Amanda Borgonovo, Heide Borgonovo, and Austin Capeheart; in addition to extended family in Germany. Born in Silesia, then part of Germany, his family moved to Bavaria, and later, when he was fifteen, his family emigrated to New York via Ellis Island. He became a U.S. citizen and enlisted in the military, starting out as a military train conductor in Germany just as the Berlin wall was being built. He later became an officer, serving in Korea and Vietnam. He retired as Lieutenant Colonel in 1990 and continued working for the military as a civilian until 1999. His active life continued in Petaluma, Sonoma County, where he and his wife, Maria, are members of the Hermann Son's Lodge, the German-American Society, and the Redwood Empire Choir. He was also a member of the Military Retired Officers' Association. Friends and family are invited to attend a celebration of his dedicated and fulfilling life on December 16, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. at PARENT-SORENSEN MORTUARY AND CREMATORY at 850 Keokuk Street, Petaluma. The family requests that donations be made to the National Kidney Foundation, 131 Steuart St., Ste. 520, San Francisco, Ca., 94105.