Richard John Kottler Jr.

A Pennsylvanian by birth, and a Floridian by choice, Rick has lived in Stuart since 1988. A 1976 graduate of Florida Institute of Technology (School of Marine Environmental Technology) in Jensen Beach, his heart never left his adopted state. After a dozen years in the Washington DC area where he met his wife Lynnette, he was glad to be home.

A true renaissance man, Rick had many talents. He worked in non-profit management, financial services, and as a government contractor; he was also an artist and sculptor, the Kottler family historian and he loved to find and give new life to vintage furniture and artifacts. After retiring as Executive Director of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Center of the Treasure Coast in 2019, he and Evelyn started “Antique Vintage Search and Rescue” and they spent their time finding and restoring many treasures. He knew that every treasure held the stories of the place it was from and the people who created and used it.

Rick loved spending time with the people that he loved. He had a warm smile and personality and he loved to laugh. A true “parrot head” he loved Key West, Mt. Dora and Savannah. He was devoted to his wife Lynnette who passed in 2016 and to Evelyn who he married in 2019, and he loved that he got adult children (who he adored) as part of the deal. Rick had a special relationship with his brother and nephews – attending their bar mitzvahs in Pennsylvania – and he and Evelyn loved visiting Florence SC where his father and sister moved in 2018, and Beaufort NC where his chosen family would gather.

Rick was predeceased by his parents, Richard John Kottler, Sr (2021) and Shirley Kottler (2016), and his wife, Lynnette D. Kottler (2016). He is survived by his wife Evelyn Vazquez Kottler of Stuart, bonus children Stephen (Rachel) Vazquez of Tampa and Amanda Vazquez Delmont of Miami; siblings, Sharon (Gary) Willison of Rochester, NY, Paul (Dore) Kottler of Allentown, PA, and Jennifer Kottler (Gavin Meek) of Florence, SC; brother-in-law, Dennis (Dorothy) Watley of Tampa; nephews, Jack and Ben Kottler of Harrisburg and Philadelphia, PA respectively; and Justin (Natalie) Willison of Worthington, OH; nieces, Renee (Charlie) Raley of Riverview, and Stephanie (Tom) Gilbert of Fairport, NY; along with 3 great nieces and 3 great nephews. He is also survived by his Aunt Lois Clark and Uncle Bill (Paula) Barbin, too many sibling-in-laws to name, and several cousins including Cynthia (Bob) Boffoli, who was like a sister and Chris (Debbie) Cawley who was like a brother. He will be missed by all who knew him.

A celebration of life will be held in February with the family at their home. Memorial donations can be made to The Heart Association.