Eberhard Carl “Gucci” Gutscher, age 92 years, of Glen Gardner, NJ, died peacefully on Friday, March 1, 2019 at home, with his loving wife, Sue, by his side and under the caring watch of Hunterdon Hospice.
Born in the Black Forest region of Germany on December 19, 1926, son of the late Otto Eberhard and Erna Keller Gutscher, he emigrated to the United States in 1961, moving first to New York. He would later live in New Providence, NJ, and Flemington, NJ, before settling in Glen Gardner in 1987.
Humble and genuine, Gucci earned his Masters Degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Stuttgart. While there, he was the founder of a choral society and co-founder and solo flutist of a chamber orchestra. He credits this to his Swiss and German parents who exposed him to music and art since he was a child.
Working first as an engineer, he specialized in intellectual property and his work brought him to Germany, Switzerland and France. He would later go on to pass the European Patent Bar Exam in Munich in 1961, and soon after accepted an offer from AT&T to come to the United States and practice patent law in their corporate law department. His work for the company continued for the length of his career, and he eventually retired from one of the AT&T spin-offs, Lucent Technologies (Nokia).
Family was extremely important to Gucci, and anyone who knew him surely has heard stories of his children and grandchildren. He always ensured that his children received a solid education and were exposed to the world via travel. He once wrote, “Whether by car, train, plane or skis, my travels over the past 50-plus years have shown me a panorama of natural beauty, the wonder of various cultures and the amazing qualities of the human race.”
His hard work allowed him to travel and see the world, and it was also pivotal for his future for it was at work where he would one day meet Susan Dolci. Their friendship over the years blossomed, and they would eventually marry on March 28, 1986. The two simply enjoyed being around one another and respected who each was as an individual.
They would explore the world, and on their first travel to Europe together, they saw 25 cities in 20 days! Their “Millennium Trip” to Venice was of particularly fond memories for the two. Spending New Years Eve on a boat, they danced the night away, inspiring all the other passengers to do the same. They finished the night with a toast as they did every night by saying to one another, “To my eternal love!”
Many have said that Gucci had a true magnetic presence. He was knowledgeable on many topics, but humble in that he could, and would talk to anyone. He did not believe that one person was better than another, and gave respect to all.
Among his many interests, his passion for photography was a particular favorite. He received numerous awards for his work and exhibited in several galleries in Hunterdon County and Princeton, NJ, and well as in New York City. Studying under the acclaimed photography teacher, Helen Manzer, photography allowed Gucci to truly experience life behind the lens of a camera where he could see it from many different angles.
Though his death brings a sense of sadness, Gucci would want all reading this to rather smile. This is simply because he would want everyone to make the most of every moment and each experience that life brings to all people.
Surviving, in addition to his wife, Susan Dolci, are his children, Marc-Andre Gutscher, Ph.D., and his wife, Frauke Klingelhoefer, Ph.D.; Cecile Gutscher and her husband, Alistair MacDonald; his grandchildren, Lisa and Felix Klingelhoefer and Samuel and Edward MacDonald; his siblings, Manfred Gutscher and Jorg and his wife, Dagi Gutscher; his “furry” family members, Mimi, Owen, Romeo, and Juliette; his nieces and nephews; several extended family members in Germany; and many dear friends around the world.
In addition to Hunterdon Hospice, the family would like to extend a special thank you to all those who have assisted Gucci and them over the years, especially Angie Birnbaum, Jennifer Estala and Mary Stein.
Gucci will lie in repose on Thursday, March 7, 2019 from 11:00 a.m. until Noon at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 201 State Highway 31, Flemington, NJ, under the care and direction of Wright & Ford Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 38 State Highway 31, Flemington, NJ.
Funeral services officiated by Rev. Bob Mueller will begin at Noon in the Church.
Burial will follow at Prospect Hill Cemetery, Capner Street, Flemington, NJ.
Please visit Gucci’s permanent memorial site at www.wrightfamily.com where one can light a candle and leave a message of condolence and words of comfort, as well as share stories and photographs of his life.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in his honor may be made to Animal Alliance, 1432 NJ-179, Lambertville, NJ 08530 or to Woodlands Wildlife Refuge, 676 County Road 513, Pittstown, NJ 08867.
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Wright & Ford, your local, family owned “Life Celebration Home”