Frank Gutowski

GUTOWSKI, Frank, passed away at his home from an aneurysm on February 24, 2009. Born in Detroit, Mich. on January 25, 1919, he was the son of John and Susi Glowska Gutowski. His father's name is listed as arriving from Poland via Bremen at Ellis Island. Frank was the youngest of six, two brothers and three sisters preceded him in death. After graduating from high school in 1936, Frank joined the Society of Jesus and began the rigorous and demanding Jesuit training that, after obtaining degrees in liberal arts, philosophy and theology, led to his 1949 ordination to the priesthood. His studies continued at Catholic University where he earned a Ph.D. in physics in the area of thermodynamics. He was assigned to John Carroll University in Cleveland, Ohio and soon chaired the physics department. In that capacity, he taught both graduate and undergraduate courses while administering various grants from the National Science Foundation, from the U.S. Air Force for research in acoustics, and from the U.S. Navy for research in ultrasonics that was carried out by the department. When Frank became aware of the impending divorce of a friend, he offered financial assistance to the destitute young wife and mother of four young children. The Jesuits, however, refused to allow him such use for his salary unless he would also leave campus. Frank applied for and got a year's sabbatical. Subsequently, at age 52, Frank petitioned the Vatican for laicization, and at the same time requested that his vows of poverty, chastity and obedience plus the Jesuit's 4th vow to Papal fealty be lifted. Frank had no crises of faith; he was motivated by human need that he felt he could meet - Christ-like. Married by the late Bishop Norbert Gaughan, Frank gained a family but lost nearly everything else. At the end of the sabbatical, John Carroll University released him. He sued and the ACLU, AAUP, and EEOC provided support. Nevertheless, Federal Court for the District of Ohio ruled that as a result of separation of church and state, a priest belonging to a religious order teaching at the order's university had, de facto, forfeited his civil rights and could be terminated from a tenured position. The case set precedents. Thanks to Money Magazine which did a feature article on the family in its July 1976 issue, Frank and his new family moved to Richmond. Eventually, Frank returned to teaching physics. He retired from Virginia Union University. In his later years, Frank enjoyed extensive community service, travel and recreation as well as a return to a solitary and introspective life. He tutored graduate and undergraduate students as well as GED candidates. He was a much loved figure at the Monument Avenue Senior Center and regularly read for the blind. He traveled extensively with Elder Hostel both here and abroad, and participated in its cultural exchange and education programs. His passions were bridge and classical music. He and Monika were avid concert and opera goers. His last weekly bridge game was February 17. While he and Monika no longer traveled together, they spoke daily- last on February 23, 2009. The day after his death, February 25, would have marked 44 years of a loving and devoted friendship. Surviving Frank are his acquired children, Leila Marie and Nadja Irene Gutowski, both of Richmond, Robert Anthony Gutowski of Berlin, Germany, and Stephan Othmar Gutowski of New York City, along with their mother, Monika Smith of Reedville, Va. He is also survived by three grandchildren, Noluenn of New York, Emma of Berlin, and David Anthony of Richmond; as well as, numerous nieces and nephews. A private memorial service will be held at a later date.
This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.