Dorothy P. Gottschalk

Pat, as she preferred to be called, was born on March 5, 1933 in Cleveland, Ohio. She died on March 22, 2020 in San Jose, California at the age of 87 from complications of Alzheimer’s Disease. She died peacefully in her sleep and family members had been given the opportunity to visit with her shortly before her death despite the ongoing corona virus pandemic.

Pat was preceded in death by her parents, Harvey and Dorothy Schach (nee Gerbrick), her brother, Harvey Schach, Jr., her sister Nancy Schach, and her husband Capt. Arthur William Gottschalk, Jr., USN, Ret. (Art) who died on March 8, 2017 in San Jose, CA. Pat is survived by her older sister, Mary Ann Gottschalk (nee Schach), who married Pat’s husband’s brother, David Gottschalk.

Pat lives on through her four children: Arthur William Gottschalk, III (Shelley) of Houston, TX; Kathy Voss (Keith) of Clinton Township, MI, Nancy Roberts (Christopher) of San Jose, CA and Sally Marquis of Richmond, VA, who will all miss her very much. Pat had three grand-daughters, Brandi Michelle Varga (James), Kara Alyssa Roberts (Nirmit Shetty), and Megan Noelle Marquis; and four grandsons, Craig Bradley Voss (Claudia), Jamie Brian Voss (Carmen), Ryan Christopher Roberts (Michelle) and Daniel Arthur Marquis. Pat was also gifted with many great-grandchildren who will miss her: Ethan, Andrew, Ryan, James and Elizbeth Voss (Jamie and Carmen Voss); Cristian, Alessandro, Isabella and Chiara Voss (Craig and Claudia Voss); Elyse and Emma Varga (Brandi and James Varga); and Mahalia and Rhys Cagat-Roberts (Ryan Roberts and Michelle Cagat-Roberts).

Pat was born in Cleveland, Ohio, but her family later moved to Detroit, Michigan where Pat attended Redford High School (class of ‘51) and lived across the street from the man whom she would marry upon graduating from high school. On June 23, 1951, Pat and Art, who was then graduated from the University of Michigan and was an ensign in the U.S. Navy, were married at Bushnell Congregational Church in Detroit, MI. Soon after their marriage, Art and Pat traveled to San Diego, CA where Art was serving aboard a destroyer in the Pacific during the Korean War.

Pat followed Art to various duty stations throughout his 30 year Navy career. They ultimately retired in New Bern, NC in the early 1990s and resided there for almost 20 years. In 2016, Art and Pat, both suffering from physical ailments, moved to San Jose, CA so that family members would be able to assist them. Pat didn’t mind all the moving with Art however, whom she frequently referred to as “the love of her life.” They remained married for over 65 years until Art’s death in 2017. Although suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, Pat always remembered “her husband” and treasured the pictures she had of him.

Pat will be laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery beside her husband Art. They grew up together, they were married to each other for over 65 years, and now in death they will be back together once again. Rest in peace.

Fond memories of Pat may be shared at: https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/san-jose-ca/dorothy-gottschalk-9096392/add-memory