H. Dale Gotschall

H. Dale Gotschall, 85 of Cambridge, passed away Monday, May 7, 2012 at his home. Dale was born September 29, 1926 to Charles C. and Zella B. Gotschall at the town of Apex, Ohio. Shortly after his birth the family relocated to Scio, Ohio where Dale was raised and graduated from Scio High School in 1944. Dale worked part time on a milk route and as a laborer at the Scio Pottery until entering Muskingum College in the summer of 1944. Dales decision to enter college was made in about 3 hours at the urging of his visiting cousin who was on his way back to school for the next quarter! In January, 1945 he entered the U. S. Navy and following his training was stationed at Chelsea Naval Hospital as a Pharmacist Mate during the remainder of WWII and was discharged in the summer of 1946. Following his return home Dale resumed his education at Muskingum where he graduated in 1949. Following his college graduation he worked for the Midway Lumber Company, and Joy Manufacturing of Dover as an accountant. He began his family on June 10, 1951 when he married Margaret Jean (Peg) Pfeiffer of Dover, whom he met while at Muskingum. After leaving Joy Manufacturing in 1952 Dale became business manager at Union Hospital of Dover. Dale and Peg lived in Dover for several years until Dale, with his wife and two eldest sons to raise made the decision to quit his job and enter Columbia University to pursue a masters degree in hospital administration which was a new field at that time, most hospitals being owned of managed primarily by physicians. Following Dales graduation from Columbia in 1959, he became administrator of the Holidaysburg State Hospital in Pennsylvania. In 1961 Dale and family relocated to Cambridge where he took the position of administrator at Guernsey Memorial Hospital. From the beginning Dale believed in working toward the best health care possible for our area and with the support of many others, saw new technologies brought to the hospital. In the late 1960’s Dale, along with the hospitals board of directors began planning and fund raising for a major expansion to the hospital. When completed the new expansion featured replacement and upgrades of most major hospital departments with remodeling and reallocation of much of the original hospital building. The new building also was designed to the latest technologies and with capacity and planning for future remodeling and expansion, still evolving to this day. Dale also placed great emphasis on quality medical staff and spent much of his time and efforts on physician recruitment, an unending task for a rural area such as ours. He believed in treating employees with respect and expected they treat patients with the same and with compassion and friendliness. Over the years he received many letters commenting on the quality of care and pleasant demeanor of the staff. Dale was always grateful for his Guernsey Memorial and later "Southeastern Med" "family" who he credited for his success. During his career Dale was involved with may state and national health care boards and organizations. After 30 years leading the hospital through a vastly changed health care world Dale retired in 1991. Dale, along with Peg also enjoyed antiques and collecting and for several years they ran an antique shop from the home and area antique malls. He enjoyed music, history, travel, old industrial and mechanical technology and primitive tools and was an avid "tinkerer" and amateur mechanic in his earlier years. Dale attended the Scio Methodist Church in his youth, was married and began his family with Peg in the Dover First Moravian Church, later they attended Westminster Presbyterian Church of Cambridge and following his retirement they re-joined and became very active members of the Moravian Church again. While attending that Church Dale was a member of the Brass choir playing trombone. In later years, unable to travel, Dale was welcomed to and attended the Claysville United Methodist Church with his caregivers. Dale was a loving and devoted son, husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle always supporting the family in their dreams and endeavors. He enjoyed nothing more than spending time with family and friends and enjoyed meeting new people and learning their stories. Those who knew Dale will remember him as a warm, welcoming, gentle person. Dale was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Margaret in 2009, an infant daughter, Rebecca Jean Gotschall, a son Jeffrey Lloyd Gotschall, and a daughter-in-law, Caren Sue Gotschall. He is survived by his sister Mary M. Long of Mesa, Arizona, sons: Douglas, Mark (Jodi), and Bradley (Donna) Gotschall all of Cambridge and a daughter-in-law Andrea Gotschall of Columbus, Oh. Also he is survived by grandchildren Stephanie Gotschall of Hollywood, Florida, Benjamin (Tiffany) Gotschall of Sandusky, Oh., Joseph, Dale, Gregory and Sarah Gotschall all of Cambridge, Emily and Molly Gotschall of Columbus, Oh and several nieces and nephews. He is also survived by special caregivers Mary Warehime, Janet Campbell, Yalonda Conrad, Esta Troyer, and Heather Sigfried. In keeping with Dales wishes there will be no viewing or visiting hours. A graveside service will be held Wednesday, May 9, 2012 at 11am at Gnadenhutten Cemetery on Cherry Street in Gnadenhutten, Ohio (all family and friends are welcome) with Pastors John Wallace and Gary Fitzgerald officiating. A meal will follow for family and friends at the John Heckewelder Memorial Moravian Church 145 S. Walnut Street Gnadenhutten, Ohio. Memorial contributions can be made to Moravian Music Foundation 457 South Church Street Winston Salem, NC 27101 or www.moravianmusic.org or to Hospice of Guernsey P.O. Box 1165 Cambridge, Ohio 43725. Online condolences can be posted on Dale's Tribute Wall at www.bundy-lawfuneralhome.com.

H. Dale Gotschall

September 29, 1926 - May 7, 2012