Roger Gottschalk

Roger Edwin Gottschalk died peacefully on November 17th, 2023. His family was close beside him during the last days and hours of his life. Roger is survived by his wife of 63 years, Marilyn (Steege); two children, Brad (Erica) Gottschalk and their two sons, Henry and Ethan; daughter, Jocelyn Gottschalk; niece, Kristin Gottschalk; and nephew, Kurt Gottschalk. He was preceded in death by his parents, Conrad and Clara, and his brother, Donald.

Roger was a lifelong artist and educator who generously shared his love of creating, learning, and teaching with his family, friends, students, and community. Born in Bloomington, Illinois on March 16th, 1932, Roger had an affinity for art from an early age. After graduating from Bloomington High School in Bloomington, Illinois, he completed some semesters of college at Illinois State Normal University before enlisting in the U.S. Army Infantry in 1953. He was a member of the 10th Infantry Division (formerly the 10th Mountain Division) stationed in Salzburg, Austria. After his military service, Roger returned to Bloomington, Illinois and completed a Bachelor's degree in Art Education at Illinois State Normal University. He soon sought further education, and applied and was accepted to the acclaimed Master of Fine Arts program at the University of Iowa in Iowa City. After earning his MFA from the University of Iowa, he began a long career as a college art educator.

Roger joined the faculty of the Art Department at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville in 1965. He became head of the Art Department for several years in the 1990's. During his years at UW-P, he evolved into a remarkable educator who consistently looked to advance his own knowledge, and who taught a diverse curriculum of classes in studio art, art history, and art theory. He had an incredible knowledge of the materials, techniques, and theories used in making art, and he loved to share it with students. Roger held the interests and education of his students first and foremost. Nothing excited him more than students becoming inspired and seeing their own potential. Several of his early students went on to become established professional ceramicists and others became educators.

Throughout his years of teaching, Roger continued to work as an artist. His curiosity and love of art led him to explore many fine art and craft mediums including painting, printmaking, fiber arts, knitting, watercolor, gouache, ceramics, stained glass, and origami. He exhibited his work at various exhibition spaces including the Harry Nohr Gallery at UW-P, the Madison Art Center, the Mining and Rollo Jamison Museums, the Rountree Gallery, and other galleries in the tri-state area. He served as a juror for many art shows and exhibitions.

Roger touched many people during his long life and was beloved by many. Friends and family may remember the May Day baskets—ceramic pots he made and filled with flowers and poetry—that he left on people's doorsteps every year on the first of May. Family, friends, art, and teaching were central to his existence. He was as happy to be a teacher as a student. To him, these roles were reciprocal. His deeply held, fundamental respect for people and belief that everyone should be treated with kindness let him connect with many people and form lifelong relationships and friendships. We love you, Roger.