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Carl Gutsche Obituary
Carl David Gutsche's remarkable 97-year life and career came to a natural end on August 28, 2018. Born on March 21, 1921, in La Grange Park, IL, to Frank Carl Gutsche and Vera Virginia Mutchler, he is survived by his wife Alice, brother Graham, children Clara, Betha, and Christopher, grandchildren Sarah Gutsche-Miller, Alice and Oliver Gutsche-Smith, and great-granddaughter Hannah Vande Moortele.
David received a Ph.D. in organic chemistry from the University of Wisconsin in 1947 and began his 42-year career in the Department of Chemistry at Washington University, St. Louis, MO. Among his many honors and awards, the one he treasured most was the Alumni Foundation Teaching Award, given on the basis of feedback from former students. In 1989, David accepted the Robert A. Welch Chair in Chemistry at Texas Christian University. He retired at the age of 80.
David Gutsche is considered the "godfather of modern Calixarene chemistry," a field he set in motion in the mid-70s when he researched molecular structures capable of assuming basket-like formations. He named them calixarenes, taking inspiration from the shape of the "calyx krater" Greek vase. David authored several text books on organic chemistry and calixarenes. (website: sites.google.com/site/cdgutsche/)
David's many talents and passions included music, sailing, photography and woodworking. He was an accomplished pianist and cellist and served on the boards of the St. Louis Conservatory of the Arts, Fort Worth Chamber Music Society, and Olympic Music Festival. He and Alice enjoyed many years of sailing, skippering their sloop Divertimento. David also once crewed in the Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac. David produced many beautiful photographs and crafted handsome and enduring furniture.
A memorial service will be held at Horizon House
(900 University St) on
Saturday, October 20, at 1:00pm.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Carl Gutsche
Sponsored by The Family.
3 Entries
Ted Baer
October 19, 2018
David Gutsche was my PhD advisor at Washington University, so he and I worked closely for five years. Our collaboration was particularly successful at a scientific level owing to his insights and patient, effective communication. Whenever I entered his office, he stopped what he was doing and gave me his undivided attention. That I practiced his patience and genuine concern for others throughout my career was a direct result of working with David for those five years.
David was truly a Renaissance man. His breadth of knowledge and enthusiasm for sharing it were remarkable. Becky and I came from generally unsophisticated backgrounds, and our lives were immensely enriched through our association with David and Alice. David Gutsche was one of the most important people in our lives.
After his retirement we visited Alice and David once in Indianola and three times in Seattle. I then visited him alone on August 20, just days before he passed away. He was as engaging as eversimply remarkable.
Though saddened to lose David, we are all cognizant of the fact that he led a wonderfully full life, amply documented in his life history. His written history is a genuine treasure to be preserved, I hope, for generations to come.
Becky and Ted Baer
Ted Baer
October 19, 2018
David Gutsche was my PhD advisor at Washington University, so he and I worked closely for five years. Our collaboration was particularly successful at a scientific level owing to his insights and patient, effective communication. Whenever I entered his office, he stopped what he was doing and gave me his undivided attention. That I practiced his patience and genuine concern for others throughout my career was a direct result of working with David for those five years.
David was truly a Renaissance man. His breadth of knowledge and enthusiasm for sharing it were remarkable. Becky and I came from generally unsophisticated backgrounds, and our lives were immensely enriched through our association with David and Alice. David Gutsche was one of the most important people in our lives.
After his retirement we visited Alice and David once in Indianola and three times in Seattle. I then visited him alone on August 20, just days before he passed away. He was as engaging as eversimply remarkable.
Though saddened to lose David, we are all cognizant of the fact that he led a wonderfully full life, amply documented in his life history. His written history is a genuine treasure to be preserved, I hope, for generations to come.
With very best wishes all his family,
Becky and Ted Baer
Ted Baer
October 19, 2018
David Gutsche was my PhD advisor at Washington University, so he and I worked closely for five years. Our collaboration was particularly successful at a scientific level owing to his insights and patient, effective communication. Whenever I entered his office, he stopped what he was doing and gave me his undivided attention. That I practiced his patience and genuine concern for others throughout my career was a direct result of working with David for those five years.
David was truly a Renaissance man. His breadth of knowledge and enthusiasm for sharing it were remarkable. Becky and I came from generally unsophisticated backgrounds, and our lives were immensely enriched through our association with David and Alice. David Gutsche was one of the most important people in our lives.
After his retirement we visited Alice and David once in Indianola and three times in Seattle. I then visited him alone on August 20, just days before he passed away. He was as engaging as eversimply remarkable.
Though saddened to lose David, we are all cognizant of the fact that he led a wonderfully full life, amply documented in his life history. His written history is a genuine treasure to be preserved, I hope, for generations to come.
Becky and Ted Baer
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