Dr. Richard Howard Gubitz

Dr. Richard Howard Gubitz, age 65, of Berlin died unexpectedly at his home on February 23, 2015. He was born on October 5, 1949 in Hartford CT, the son of the late Fred and Marie (Stefango) Gubitz. Richard (Rick) spent his youth living in Connecticut. He graduated from Hartford Public High School in 1967 and Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT in 1971 having majored in German Studies. Richard spent a semester studying at the University of Bonn, Germany. In 1975, he completed his PhD degree in Pharmacology at Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan. For twenty years, he taught annually updated Pharmacology courses for medical students of the College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific, Pomona, CA. In 1978, he graduated with his medical degree from Michigan State University’s College of Osteopathic Medicine. For the next 30 thirty years he was dedicated to serving this area as a Family Medicine Physician in Berlin, WI, retiring in 2009. Richard had an insatiable quest for knowledge. His diversified interests included art, science, history, theatre, geography, light houses, trains, wildlife conservation (local and globally) and world economics to mention just a few. He was a master of Trivial Pursuit and chess. Through his extensive travels, he became a true “Citizen of the World”. Having grown up in an urban environment he later developed a true appreciation of nature. He loved flowers, especially roses and daffodils. He was an avid and generous supporter of wildlife conservation and animal rescue. Richard had been a member of several organizations including the Kiwanis Club, Grace Lutheran Church and the Berlin City Council. He served on the Board of Directors of the Brown Wilcox Home, Berlin Public Library and the Green Lake Festival of Music. He served on numerous committees at the Berlin Memorial Hospital during his three decades of medical practice there. He enjoyed teaching a variety of students (medical, nursing, nurse practitioner, physician assistant and pharmacology graduate students). His infectious laugh would resonate around a room. Richard is survived by his wife of 40 years, Betsy (Anderson) Gubitz. She worked tirelessly by his side as a registered nurse during his decades of medical practice. He is also survived by two sister-in-laws and their husbands, Nancy (Francis) Kobylenski of Trumbull, CT and Janet (David) Towle of Black River, NY, and nephews Christopher Towle (and his fiancée Jessica Cutting) of Charlotte, NC and Daniel Towle of Orlando, FL and a niece, Arianna Tosi of Cohasset, MA. Richard’s family would like to especially thank his caregiver’s team who over the past two years supported him with care, compassion, laughter and some challenging games of Stratego. He will be greatly missed by his cats; Molly, Max, Honey and Critter. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. at Grace English Lutheran Church of Berlin with Pastor Scott Piper officiating. Visitation will be held at the Wiecki-Skipchak Funeral Home of Berlin on Friday, February 27, 2015 from 5-8:00 p.m. and also on Saturday, February 28, 2015 from 9:30 -11:00 a.m. at Grace English Lutheran Church of Berlin. Burial will occur in his home state of Connecticut in the Spring. Contributions in his memory can be made to the World Wildlife Fund, P. O. Box 97180, Washington DC 20090-7180, or the Best Friends Animal Society, 5001 Angel Canyon Rd, Kanab, UT 84741. Dr. Gubitz’s long term dedication to the people of the greater Berlin area is evidenced in many meaningful ways and will serve as an enduring memorial and legacy of his passion for lifelong learning and caring for those in need.

Dr. Richard Howard Gubitz

October 5, 1949 - February 23, 2015