Gary Kottwitz
Gary Dean Kottwitz passed away on October 13, 2016 at Mercy Hospital in St Louis, Missouri after nearly five years battling his body‘s rejection of a cardiac stent. He was born 69 years ago in Pana, IL to August and Mildred (Evans) Kottwitz and grew up in Gasconade County, MO.
Gary was proceeded in death by his parents and two brothers, Milford and Donald. He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Susan (Beckman) of the home in Phillipsburg, MO; son Andy of Colorado Springs, CO; daughter Megan of Bahia, Brazil; sisters Bertha Miller (Donald); Loretta Ward (Rodney); Peggy Florence; brothers Chester and George Kottwitz and a host of cousins, nieces and nephews.
Gary was retired from the Missouri Division of Probation and Parole and the Virginia Department of Community Corrections. Though he enjoyed his career, Gary felt his real life was outside of the office. He chose to live in the country and loved farming with his draft horses and mules.
Gary was an early practitioner of intensive grazing practices for his grass fed cattle herd and a devoted organic gardener. He spent many hours in his greenhouse and enjoyed sharing his bounty with local charities.
Active in historic preservation, Gary and his wife restored historic homes in Kansas City, MO and Pittsylvania County, VA. Gary was a skilled craftsman and woodworker and realized his dream of building a home when they moved to Phillipsburg MO.
A long time antiques collector including architectural salvage, horse drawn equipment and cars, Gary leaves behind his 1969 Volvo P1800.
Gary never missed the NCAA men’s basketball tournament and cheered for the North Carolina Tarheels loudest of all.
He will be missed by many, including his beloved dogs, Rudy and Rosie. One of his favorite quotations is from Will Rogers: If there are no dogs in heaven, then when I die I want to go where they go.
At Gary’s request there will be no funeral or memorial service and his ashes will be spread on the land that he loved.
I am so sorry to lose yet another cousin….Gary was loved by many….Blessings to all….
Sorry to hear about Gary. Prayers for your family.
I did not know Gary personally, but felt as if I did through his amazing wife, Susan.
Seeing this beautiful video and reading about Gary’s wonderful, albeit too short life, he is someone I would have LOVED to have known and would have been proud to have called my friend.
What a kind person I can tell he was.
I am so deeply sorry for all devastated by his untimely passing.
Sending love and my most heartfelt condolences to all.
What a wonderful tribute! I am so very sorry for your loss, Sue. My heartfelt condolences to the entire family.
Sue, again I am so sorry for your loss. What a beautiful tribute and thank you for sharing his life with us. Peace to your family.
I graduated from Owensville High School with Gary in 1965. He was an outstanding rebounder for the Owensville Dutchmen that placed 4th in State. So sorry to hear of his passing.
Our deepest sympathy at the loss of a classmate and friend to all.
OHS Class of 1965
You have my deepest sympathy .
As a classmate of Gary’s, I have fond memories of our young days. Not surprising, reading his obituary, he was a good man with a kind heart.
Sincerely,
Peggy
Sorry to hear about Gary. I too, was a classmate and we road the same bus. Your family have my deepest sympathies and prayers.
Gary was my first District Administrator and later co-worker. He was always easy to work with and I enjoyed our many conversations! He’s easy smile and laughter will be greatly missed.Prayers to his wife and family.
Was saddened to hear of Gary death. He will be missed.
Gary was my best friend during my high school years. We had a great time hotrodding around in his father’s 1956 Ford F-100, later his 1959 Ford and “Chico”‘1965 GTO. Rest In Peace Friend.