Franklin John Gutowsky

Franklin John Gutowsky

Frank Gutowsky

On Thursday, September 22, 2022, Franklin John Gutowsky, loving husband, father of three children, and grandfather of five passed away at the age of 87, in Kenmore, WA. Frank was born on July 16, 1935, in Chicago, IL to Francis and Emily Gutowsky. He received his Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Illinois, Champagne-Urbana in 1958, and practiced architecture in the state of Illinois for over 60 years. On January 26, 1958, he was married to Charlotte Constance Page. They were married for 64 years. They raised three children, a son Jeffrey, and two daughters Karen and Lynda.

Frank had a passion for architecture, singing, and sailing. At the University of Illinois, he was part of the Kappa Sigma fraternity, 1953 pledge class, where he pinned and serenaded his wife, Connie. He started his career as an officer in the Army Signal Corps in Huntsville, Alabama. Moved to the private sector as an architect, first at Coder Taylor and Associates in Winnetka, IL, and then to Hundreiser-Gutowsky, Inc. in Arlington Heights, IL. He designed railroad stations, senior homes, churches, and municipal buildings throughout the Chicago region. He sang in the church choir at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Arlington Hts, IL, and the Swedish Glee Club in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. He started sailing at age 12 when he built a small wooden boat, then racing with the Chicago Yacht Club at Belmont Harbor with Luders 16 wooden boat class and moved on to more leisure sailing with his wife Connie on their Hunter 34, Sparkle 2. He was part of the “Old Guard” at the Chicago Yacht Club where he was a member for 60+ years. He was known to many as “Captain Guts”. Frank was known for his quick wit, kind spirit, beautiful voice, and loud whistle. Frank spent his entire life in the Northwest suburbs of Chicago, until the last two years when he moved to Seattle, WA to be near his daughters and their family. He will forever be a Chicago Bears and Cub fan.

Frank was preceded in death by his parents Emily and Frank and survived by his wife Connie, three children Jeff, Karen, and Lynda and five grandchildren, Jonelle, Johnny, Emily, Rachel, and Sam, and sister Joan and brother Bill, and several cousins, nieces, nephews, and in-laws.

A small family service was held, Saturday, September 24, 2022, at Holy Spirit Lutheran Church, Kirkland, WA. His remains will rest with his parents and grandparents at St. Luke Cemetery in Chicago, IL.

In lieu of flowers, we ask that donations be made to St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Arlington Hts, IL.