Edwin S. Gothard, Sr.

1926-2013

Edwin S. Gothard, Sr., born July 3, 1926 in Pensacola, FL, to Hungarian immigrant parents, Ed died peacefully on March 6, 2013 in Asheville, NC after an extended illness. Alumnus of Eliza Jane Wilson, A.V. Clubbs, and Pensacola High Schools, he later served in the Army-Air Force during WWII. Ed graduated from Georgia Tech in 1950 as a Mechanical Engineer and spent his working years at DuPont and Chemstrand/Monsanto. Many a golf round was played at, and lost ball retrieved from, the old Chemstrand course while driving his 3-wheeled, gas-powered cart.

In 1968, Ed and family moved to the Raleigh, NC area where he eventually retired. 1988 brought him back to Pensacola where he enjoyed sailing, gardening, ballroom dancing at Bayview Park, and volunteering at West Florida Hospital. Growing up during the Great Depression gave Ed the lust for junk picking and his collections were legendary. His love for woodworking spanned his lifetime; it was masterful and is treasured.

Over the years Ed made mischief, rope, wine, investments, and untold quantities of compost (in his stainless steel mesh bin, another find). With his if-you-want-it-you-can-make-it philosophy, he encouraged his children to be creative, resourceful, and educated.

Ed was preceeded in death by his parents, Stephen and Julia Kish Gothard; and sister, Helen Gothard. Left to treasure his memory are his children, son, E. Stephen Gothard, Jr. of Durham, NC, and daughters, Merideth Gothard Lovejoy and Nancy Gothard Oliver (Richard) of Asheville, NC; grandchildren, Sarah Oliver Delaney (Rob), Faith Oliver Doyle (Jeff), Judith Oliver Campbell (Tony), Stephanie Gothard, and Dorian Gothard; 2 1/2 great-grandchildren; and sister, Margaret Gothard Shaw (Ashland) of Boonville, IN.

Visitation will be held from 5-7pm on Friday, March 15, 2013, at Harper-Morris Memorial Chapel. Funeral services will be at 11:00am on Saturday, March 16, 2013 at Gadsden Street United Methodist Church, Pensacola, where he was a lifelong member, with burial immediately following at Bayview Memorial Park.

Memorial contributions may be made in Ed's name to Gadsden St UMC, 901 E. Gadsden St, Pensacola, FL 32501 or the Waterfront Rescue Mission, PO Box 870, Pensacola, FL 32591.

We will miss you, Dad.

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Published by the Pensacola News Journal on Mar. 13, 2013.

Memories and Condolences
for Edwin Gothard

12 Entries

Krysten Shepherd

March 17, 2013

I will miss him dancing down our halls and his relentless pursuit of wanting to drive again. Thank you for allowing me to take care of him.

March 15, 2013

Dear Merideth, Steve, and Nancy,

We have so many great memories of times spent with your Dad. There was no subject I can think of that he could not discuss with intelligence and insight, and he was always interested in what was going on in the world around him. We will treasure our memories and will remember him fondly.

Your Dad, as well as all of you, are in our thoughts and prayers.

With sincere sympathy,
Kramer and Darcia LaCour

March 15, 2013

Dear Merideth, Steve, and Nancy,

We fell so lucky to have known your father, and we have many great memories of times spent with him. He was a unique individual and a man of many interests and talents.

Our thoughts are with all of you and we are keeping your dear father in our prayers.

With Sympathy,
Kramer and Darcia LaCour

Quentin Black

March 15, 2013

I have good memories of Bill. Quentin Black

Kathy Pugh Basham

March 15, 2013

Nancy,
My deepest sympathy on the loss of your father.
Kathy Pugh Basham

Layne Russell

March 15, 2013

Fond memories with Ed - on the beach with Stephanie at 3 and Dorian at 5 weeks and Ed's beautiful wood turned bowls and Christmas ornaments - a talented man who will be missed.

Marilyn Brantley

March 14, 2013

Ed was such a wonderful and funny person to volunteer with at W. FL Hosp. We ate lunch with him on Mondays. He is greatly missed.

Rev. Dan Rhodes

March 13, 2013

Cheryl and I considered it a pleasure to know Ed. As his Pastor, I always enjoyed our visits, because I always learned from him things that are helpful to know in life. He was a good soul.

Margaret

March 13, 2013

I met Ed in 2001 at the Ball Room Dance Clubs in Pensacola. We've danced and chatted many times. He will be missed by many. My prayers go out out to the family. I'm in Durham now and will not be able to attend the services. My thoughts will be with you all.

March 13, 2013

Steve and Family,

I remember your dad when we were next-door neighbors and our fathers both worked at Chemstrand. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Kathy Allen Asbury

Chig and Jill Findley

March 13, 2013

Camelot has never been quite the same since Ed hasn't been seen taking a walk in the neighborhood. Conversations with him were always interesting. He was a very knowledgeable man.

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