Michael "Mike" John Gotthold

brother, uncle, friend, and mentor, Michael J. Gotthold (Mike). Mike died from a fall on Tuesday, 9 June 2020, in Fairfax, VA, surrounded by family. He was 45.

Mike was born in Monterey, CA, in 1975 to parents William E. and Julia (Newman) Gotthold. Mike grew up in Wenatchee, WA, and is an alumnus of the University of Puget Sound. He was a proud member of the US Navy for 20 years and was a Lieutenant Commander and Surface Warfare Officer. His most memorable assignments were as “Ops” and a “plank owner” aboard the USS Jason Dunham, Executive Officer of Assault Craft Unit 5 at Camp Pendleton, CA. Liaison to the Netherlands Maritime Force in Den Helder, and he recently served at the Marine University in Quantico, VA. His last “duty” was as an organ donor.

Mike was an active member of the community with passion for equal rights and the environment. He was most animated behind the kitchen counter, pouring drinks for family and friends, and in front of the barbecue where his culinary creativity ran wild. Many around the globe have enjoyed Mike’s exceptional cooking and bounteous storytelling. Mike had a vast knowledge of many things, and nothing made him happier than sharing with others. Mike will be remembered always for his contagious smile that extended through his eyes; his heartfelt hugs, compassion for others, quick wit, dedication to serving, and joy of life and laughter.

While he served in many roles to many people, he was most passionate about family. He reveled in his role as husband to Nicole, as a father to Liam and Rachel, and as a loving son and brother. Nothing made Mike happier than time with family learning, giving, growing, and celebrating the joy each day brought.

Mike is survived by his wife and best friend Nicole and their beloved children Liam and Rachel; parents William E. and Julia A. Gotthold of Wenatchee, WA; brother and sister-in-law David and Michelle Gotthold (children Zoe and Ethan) of Richland, WA; father- and mother-in-law Antone Santos and Ronda Quigley of Fall River, MA; brother and sister-in-law Derek Quigley and Renee Dziok-Quigley (daughters Alexandria and Megan) of East Greenwich, RI; uncles and aunts Walter and Caitilin Newman of Wenatchee, WA, Mike and Anne Newman of Anchorage, AK, and John Gotthold of Ben Lomand, CA and cousins Caiti, Leigh, Patrick, John, Tanya, Monica, and Sven. Mike was predeceased by his Aunt Sieglinde Gotthold (wife of John), his uncle Richard Newman, and his aunt Mary Kristen Newman, and his cousin Harold (Hal) Newman.

In his life, Mike traveled the world, and his friends and family span the globe. In recognition of this, multiple memorial services are being planned. Michael's first memorial service will be Sunday, July, 26, 2020 at 2:00 pm (EST) at Fort Adams in Newport, RI. It will include a virtual live stream of the memorial. You can RSVP for this memorial and view information for all of his memorials at https://rememberingmichaelgotthold.com.

Additional gatherings in Washington State and Bergen, Noord Holland will be scheduled as well. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mike’s name to the Wounded Warrior Project, the ACLU Foundation, or the Environmental Defense Action Fund.

The Wenatchee World (local newspaper obituary) can be found here: https://www.wenatcheeworld.com/tributes/in_memoriam/michael-j-mike-gotthold/article_21e40789-9c8a-571d-874e-e87369e6117e.html