June 27, 1937 - November 2, 2023
In Loving Memory ~
Rudi was born in Offenbach, Germany on June 27, 1937, and passed away peacefully on November 2, 2023 in Courtenay BC Canada.
On November 2, 2023 we said goodbye to Rudi, a proud Papa, Opa, Brother and Friend.
During the early years, Rudi lived in Offenbach with his family, and, as a young boy, spent time with his brother Norbert and many good friends and would often, no doubt, get into all kinds of trouble from his mom Alma!
He left Germany in 1957 to go to Brampton Ontario installing large mechanical systems for Hartmann Maschinenbau GmbH & Co. After a few years he left Ontario to join his brother Norbert in the Comox Valley building new homes.
Rudi, as a young energetic man spent much of his free time at social gatherings and even joined a table tennis club. In the early years in the valley, he met the love of his life Maria Lembke, and they found themselves spending most of their free time together with friends and family including Norbert, and Maria's sisters' family, Elfriede and Hans Reichl.
It wasn't long before they decided it was time to formalize their love, Rudi and Maria were married on March 9, 1966 in Courtenay BC. Shortly thereafter, Maria and Rudi welcomed their first son Stefan into the world, and a couple years later, they welcomed their second son Matthias to the world.
Rudi and his family lived in a few different homes in the Comox Valley over the years, and continued to build many fine homes and commercial buildings, perhaps the most notable to many of us was the Mexicana Motor Inn, owned and operated by the Gottmanns, and the Loft Cabaret.
In the 1980's and early 90's Rudi switched gears and got his Class 1 licence with help from his friend Lance Larson who trained him on one of the Leakey's (Leakey Logging) pole-hauling trucks. Rudi went to work for Edgett Excavating, and Cumberland Ready Mix before re-entering the building trade in 1993. Rudi proceeded to build many more homes including Stefan and Matthias's before retiring in 2007.
During all the years he enjoyed living and working on his Hobby Farms on Miromar and Minto Roads and often would go on hikes with his wife Maria in and around the valley, and Paradise Meadows. Rudi and Maria also enjoyed travelling to Qualicum or Nanaimo to have breakfast or lunch at the Old Dutch Inn or Nanaimo Bakery.
Rudi along with his sons enjoyed hosting "GottmannFest" where Rudi was always there tipping back a few, perhaps roasting a pig, and thoroughly enjoying watching his boys and their friends grow up, however challenging that might have been!
Rudi enjoyed visiting with his family and would often drop by to visit his son Stefan, daughter-in-law Charlene and granddaughter Christina at their home for coffee, cake and good conversations. Rudi also enjoyed visiting Matthias, daughter-in law Kyla and the five boys, grandsons Dawson and Ashton, and step grandsons Ethan, Jacob and Adam, Rudi was always amazed at how much of a whirlwind of activity it was!
In his later years, Rudi spent much of his time gardening, visiting friends, and going on long walks to stay fit. Right to the end he enjoyed good food and good conversation!
It is with great sadness that we say
Goodbye to Rudi, but as he said,
"It was a hell of a good run!"
Please Join us for a Celebration of Life for Rudi Sunday, November 26, 2023 at 2:00 pm at Glacier Greens Golf Club Banquet Room 1200 Knight Road Comox BC.
We would also like to thank all of the Doctors, Nurses and Care Aids that cared for and spent time with Rudi in his final months, he and his family appreciated all of your hard work, long hours and dedication.
Service Details
2:00 PM