Enrique Wetzel

Enrique Wetzel, age 78, of Seattle, Washington passed away on Sunday, May 18, 2025.

Enrique "Quique" Wetzel left this world on May 18, 2025 after 2 weeks in CCU. He was 78 years old and always lived life with a young-at-heart spirit. He cared deeply for his wife, his brother and extended family in Argentina, and his many friends of all ages, who will miss him and are filled with memories of the joy he brought to their lives.

His first passion was music. He learned guitar as a teenager in Argentina and in 1968, after he was drafted into the Navy, he got to sail around the world playing in the first-ever rock band on the Argentina tall ship, La Fragata Libertad. He began his early music career playing rock and blues and later in Seattle he changed his focus to Argentina folklore, bossa nova, boleros and other similar styles. Over the years, he performed at Folklife and other music events and also composed many original songs. For 10 years, he provided music therapy at a south Seattle social service agency. He taught guitar lessons to kids and adults and was always studying to improve his music-playing craft. He was the music light of many fiestas he attended or hosted over the years.

Another passion was cooking (for which his wife was grateful) and before creating his food masterpieces he first turned on his favorite listening music which ranged from jazz to classical to rock. He said he liked to eat good food so made sure he knew how to prepare it, and always researched new recipe ideas. He was also a self-taught artist, created many painted artworks, and exhibited in some Seattle group art shows and one solo show. In recent years he experimented with ceramics and jewelry making, always looking for something new to create.

Enrique was born Feb 24, 1947 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and moved to the US in 1979. He lived in Florida before settling in Seattle in 1988. In 1997, he was introduced by mutual friends to his wife, Laura Goularte, and they enjoyed 28 years together. In 2016 he became a US citizen. During his last 4 years, he avoided the long dark Seattle winter by spending 4 months in Argentina's spring/summer in their beloved "Casita" in the coastal town of San Bernardo, where he enjoyed the warmer weather and the company of local long-time friends and visiting family members.

He is survived by his wife, Laura, in Seattle, and his family in Argentina (older brother Carlos "Lito" Wetzel, sister-in-law Hebe Baigorri, and many nieces and nephews).

Instead of a funeral, we will have a musical celebration of Enrique's life sometime in the next few months.