Paul Gutmann

PIQUA - Paul P. Gutmann, 92, of Piqua, peacefully went to be with his Lord and Savior surrounded by his loving family at 10:56 a.m. Monday, October 21, 2024. He was born July 17, 1932, in Columbus to the late Harold and Mae (White) Gutmann. He married Rosemary Doerr June 21, 1958, in Akron, a beautiful marriage that would span over 66 years, and Rosemary survives.

Other survivors include four children, Michael (Elizabeth) Gutmann of Piqua, Ted (Maria) Gutmann-Gonzalez of Vilches, Chile, David (Luz Eliana) Gutmann-Fuentes of Cincinnati, Anne (David) Tobin of Cincinnati; 11 grandchildren, Claire (Joe) Hodapp, William (Anne) Gutmann, Amanda (Liz) Gutmann-Gonzalez, Abigail Gutmann-Gonzalez, Terra (Brendon) Gutmann-Gonzalez, Andrea (Ben) Allen Gutmann-Fuentes, Amy Gutmann-Fuentes, Hannah (Richard) Tobin, Katherine Tobin, Ellen Tobin, and Margaret Tobin; three great grandchildren, Louisa, Henry, Margot and one additional great grandchild on the way; a brother Roy (Margaret) Gutmann of Columbus and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a brother, Leo Gutmann, and a sister, Mary Conti.

Paul attended St. Charles Preparatory School in Columbus before attending St. Vincent College of Latrobe, Pennsylvania on a combined academic and football scholarship. He not only played football but lettered in basketball and baseball as well. Paul was a member of the Dean's List all four years graduating magna cum laude in 1954 and received the Benedictine Medal for excellence in political science. He received his legal education at the Ohio State University School of Law and was awarded his L.L.B. and Doctor of Laws in 1957. To fulfill his military duty, Paul joined the Ohio National Guard and, after active duty, served over five years in the Army Reserves. Following their marriage, Paul and his wife Rosemary settled in Piqua where Paul began the practice of law with William McCulloch, Carl Felger & Robert Fite, which would become the firm of McCulloch Felger Fite & Gutmann. Paul liked to say that when the partners met Rosemary his position at the firm was assured. His legal career spanned over 40 years, working with many fine attorneys including his son, Michael. Paul had a reputation for patience, cooperation, and his unusual ability to put a client at ease. During his career he was an active member of the American, Ohio State and Miami County Bar Associations, serving as President of the Miami County Bar and as a member of the Ohio State Bar Council of Delegates.

Paul was deeply involved in his community as an active member of St. Mary Catholic Church, as an Extraordinary Minister and on many of its committees and initiatives. Additionally, he was an advocate of Lehman Catholic High School where he served on its Board of Education, Foundation Board, and Development Campaign. He took on leadership roles throughout the Piqua community including the Piqua Rotary Club (President), Piqua Area Red Cross (Chairman), Miami County YMCA (Trustee), Piqua Memorial Medical Center Foundation, Knights of Columbus (Advocate), Piqua Jaycees, Salvation Army Corp and the Piqua Area Chamber of Commerce. Among the acknowledgements of Paul's significant impact, he was awarded the Letterman of Distinction from St. Vincent College, Rotary Paul Harris Fellow and the prestigious Order of George, considered to be one of the highest honors bestowed on a Piqua citizen.

Paul and his wife, Rosemary, enjoyed attending and supporting their children's and grandchildren's many activities; as well as collecting antiques and lovingly restoring their historic home on North Wayne Street. Over the years, Paul could be seen on his six mile runs around town and playing golf with his sons and grandson and he was a member of the Golden Boys golf association. Paul will be remembered for his faith, integrity, graciousness, friendship, generosity and as a true family man.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Friday, October 25, 2024, at St. Mary Catholic Church with Rev. Fr. Thomas L. Bolte and Rev. Fr. James S. Duell as Concelebrants. Burial will follow at Forest Hill Cemetery where full military honors will be provided by the Veterans Elite Tribute Squad. Visitation will be held from 4:00-7:00 p.m. Thursday, October 24, 2024, at the Jamieson & Yannucci Funeral Home where a Knights of Columbus service will be conducted at 6:45 p.m. In keeping with Paul's generous spirit, memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary Catholic Church, 528 Broadway, Piqua, OH 45356, Lehman Catholic Foundation, 2400 St. Mary's Ave., Sidney, OH 45365 or the Piqua Community Foundation, 209 W. Ash St., Piqua, OH 45356. Guestbook condolences and expressions of sympathy, to be provided to the family, may be expressed through jamiesonandyannucci.com.