Keith Gottschalk

One of South Lake Tahoe’s first directors of Parks and Recreation, Victor Keith Gottschalk, has died. He was 79.

Mr. Gottschalk died at his home in Reno on Dec. 2. He was born Jan. 12, 1935.

His career spanned more than three decades as director of parks and recreation in Merced and South Lake Tahoe. He also had many professional Parks and Recreation Society memberships at state and national levels.

For more than 50 years, he was an active member in a variety of service organizations including the BPOE, the Lions Club and Rotary Clubs of Merced and South Lake Tahoe.

Mr. Gottschalk was a member of the United States Marine Corps.

Mr. Gottschalk is survived by Patricia, his loving wife of 55 years; daughter Megan Kangail (Paul) of Danville; son Darren Gottschalk (Terri) of Franklin, Tenn.; grandchildren Ryker and Austen Kangail, and Jordan, Makena and Sheldan Gottschalk; brother Christian Gottschalk of Minden; sister Carol Williams of Reno; as well as several nieces and nephews.

A memorial service and celebration of life will be Jan. 17 at 1pm at the Thunder Canyon Golf Clubhouse, 19 Lightning W. Ranch Road, Washoe Valley, Nev.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent in Mr. Gottschalk’s memory to the Freedom Alliance Scholarship Fund, 22570 Markey Court, Suite 240, Dulles, VA 20166. The fund grants college scholarships to the children of disabled and deceased military members.