Daniel Gordon Kottke

KOTTKE, Daniel Gordon Daniel Gordon Kottke died Tuesday, (January 1, 2008) from a sudden stroke while visiting, together with his wife in San Diego, CA. Born July 26, 1922, inFond du Lac, WI, Dan was educated at Winnebago Lutheran Academy, Pomona College, Ripon College and M.I.T. During World War II he served in France, Germany and Austria in Gen. Patton's Third Army, 13th Armored Division. He had been a District Manager with U.S. Gypsum Corp. and following his retirement was a principal of Mirrex Corp. Dan is survived by his wife of 55 years, Joanne V. Lawrence Kottke of Essex. They lived in Pelham Manor and Pelham, NY for 38 years, where Dan served on the Planning Board, the Architectural Review Board and was active in the Pelham Heights Association. In 1993, they moved to Essex, where Dan became a Trustee of the First Congregational Church in Essex and served as church historian. He was a vice president of the Essex Community Fund and volunteer docent for the Essex Historical Society. Always ready for a round of golf, he also enjoyed joining his friends in a bowling league. He was dearly loved by all in his family. In addition to his wife, Dan is survived by their three children and seven grandchildren; their son Daniel Kottke Jr. of Palo Alto, CA; grandson Ryland Kottke- Karay of Palo Alto; and granddaughter Meta Gutgemann of Bonn, Germany; their daughter Nancy Walters of San Diego, CA; grandson Peter Walters of San Diego and granddaughter Katherine Walters of London, England; their daughter Lauren Caiazzo of Essex; and grandsons, Robert Caiazzo Jr. of Brookline, MA, Andrew Caiazzo and Matthew Caiazzo both of Essex. He had a loving relationship with his two sons-in-law, Mark Walters and Robert Caiazzo and his brother Paul Kottke of Fond du Lac, WI. A Memorial Service will be held at the First Congregational Church, 6 Methodist Hill Rd., Essex, CT 06426 on Saturday, January 12, at 1 p.m. Interment will be private at Riverview Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the First Congregational Church, Essex. Arrangements by Robinson, Wright & Weymer Funeral Home, Centerbrook.