Alvin G. Gottschall, a native of New Orleans and a resident of Point Clear, died Sunday, Sept. 19, 2010.
He attended Tulane University, where he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity and the Naval R.O.T.C. Unit, graduating with a BE in mechanical engineering in 1943.
He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II in the Pacific theatre as an engineer officer and a commanding officer on the U.S.S. Mertz-DD691. After active duty and Naval Reserve service, he retired with a rank of commander. He then became a sales engineer with Gulf Oil Corp., as well as with PPG industries, chemical division, where he held several sales management positions until retirement as a business consultant for the chemical industry.
He was a former member of the New Orleans Country Club, the Southern Yacht Club, the N.O. Athletic Club, and several New Orleans Carnival organizations. He was also a former member of Sunset Country Club and A.D.A.C.I.O.M. of St. Louis, Mo., as well as Edina Country Club of Minneapolis, Minn., and more recently, a member of the Lakewood Golf Club in Point Clear.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Alvin Musser and Thelma Austin Gottschall.
Survivors include his wife, Mary Fran Thompson Gottschall of Point Clear; daughter, Anne Hilton Purvis of Clark, Wyo.; son, John Austin Gottschall (wife Brittany Ann Smith) of Chicago; sister, Jane Austin Gottschall of San Jose, Calif.; and two grandsons, Liam Sayer Purvis and Bosch Austin Purvis.
A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 22 at St Francis Traditional Episcopal Church in Point Clear.
The family requests memorial donations be made to the charity of your choice.
Arrangements are by Wolfe-Bayview Funeral Homes & Crematory Inc., Fairhope.
