Gottsch Enterprises Inc., a family business that expanded worldwide, will continue operating much as it has, the family said, despite the unexpected death last week of President Robert "Bobby" L. Gottsch.
The 57-year-old died Wednesday at his rural Hastings, Neb., home. His wife, Cindy Mau Gottsch, said an autopsy showed he had a heart attack. He had a stent implanted in his heart four years ago, she said.
The late Robert G. Gottsch, Bobby's father, helped build a modest oil and feed business in the Elkhorn area into a large cattle-feeding operation.
Currently under the Gottsch Enterprises umbrella are cattle operations and ranches in Nebraska, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Texas and Argentina; interests in real estate and land development; Indian Creek Golf Course in the Elkhorn area; transportation; organic and traditional farming; and rice farming in Argentina.
"Our companies have always been about the people that work with us. The successes of these ventures are all due to the people that are involved in running them. Bobby's biggest strength was the ability to develop people into great leaders," said Brett Gottsch, a brother of Bobby and a partner in Gottsch Enterprises.
Brett Gottsch said that he and another brother, Bill, will continue running the family business. Both live in the Elkhorn area of Omaha but Brett Gottsch said they will spend more time in Hastings.
On his own, Bobby Gottsch also had financial interests in pork production and genetics throughout the United States and Canada. He also invested in small central Nebraska banks and owned and operated a mail-order food business, Nebraska Famous Steaks.
Brett Gottsch said that Hastings, especially Hastings College, would miss his brother.
Bobby Gottsch served on the college's board of trustees since 1995. He was vice chairman of the board and its executive committee and was a director of the Hastings College Foundation. Last year, he received the college's President's Award for outstanding and meritorious service.
Other professional and civic affiliations included serving on the Advisory Board for the University of Nebraska College of Business, the Omaha Federal Reserve Board and the Nebraska Environmental Quality Council. The Nebraska Business Hall of Fame inducted Gottsch in 2006.
"He was larger than life, a very giving man, very devoted and faithful to his family and community and an excellent businessman," said his wife of 28 years, Cindy. "He was a big man and could be intimidating. But despite his size, he was very compassionate and felt for others."
Besides his wife and two brothers, other survivors include children Matthew, Zachary, Nicole, Jennifer and Cheyenne Gottsch, all of Hastings; and brother Barry Gottsch of Gretna.
Funeral services will be Monday in Hastings.
Contact the writer:
402-444-1165, [email protected]
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