Theodore “Ted” J. Gottwald, an 81-year-old of Lititz, Pa., passed away on Monday, January 9 at Maple Farm Nursing Center surrounded by his family.
Born in Philadelphia, he was the son of the late Theodore and Mary (Grieger) Gottwald, and the faithful husband to Geraldine “Gerry” M. (Schwartz) Gottwald. Together they shared 48 years of happy marriage.
Gottwald retired as an electrical engineer from Lockheed Martin. He built a live model steam locomotive called Catawatha and spent many hours constructing his intricate train layout, which he designed himself and in which he took much pride.
He enjoyed hiking and traveling with his wife and two daughters, as well as gardening vegetables. Additionally, Gottwald was a volunteer at Lititz Springs Park (Caboose), where he helped train enthusiasts from all over the country and the world. He was also a very former eucharistic minister at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church.
Surviving in addition to his wife, Gerry, are his two daughters: Regina Gottwald and Maria Orrs, wife of Andrew; one grandson, Alfred Orrs; and a sister, Mary Ann Reynolds, wife of Lawrence.
A viewing will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. followed by a Prayer Service at 8 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 13, at the Charles F. Snyder, Jr. Funeral Home & Crematory, located at 3110 Lititz Pike in Lititz, Pa. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 14, with a viewing prior to the service from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at St. James Catholic Church, located at 505 Woodcrest Ave in Lititz, Pa.
Gottwald will be laid to rest at 11 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 16 at Witness Park in Lititz, Pa.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Oblate Development Fund, Oblates of St. Francis de Sales, P.O. Box 87, Childs, MD 21916 or to Food for the Poor, Inc., 6401 Lyons Rd, P.O. Box 979002, Coconut Creek, FL 33097.
