In Memoriam: Robert Gottschall, 84

Senior Manager in NY-Metro Branch System over 38 Years at Chase

 
 
Robert (Bob) Gottschall, who retired from Chase in 1996 after 38 years spent primarily in the metro New York branch area, died on February 5, 2024 at the age of 84. He had lived in Yonkers, NY for many years.
 
Gottschall was born and raised in the Bronx. He attended Immaculate Conception Grammar School, Cardinal Hayes High School, American Institution of Banking and Pace University.
 
He joined Chase Manhattan Bank in 1958 in the management training program. He worked in various branches in Manhattan, before being assigned as Assistant Manager and later as Manager of Chase Bank in Hartsdale, Westchester County, NY. He was promoted to Second Vice President, Sales Manager of the North Bronx Zoning district in 1978, and in 1981 he was promoted to Zone Manager of North Westchester and the Mid-Hudson Region.
 
In 1983, he was promoted to Vice President and manager of the Chase Bank’s largest branch, located in Rockefeller Center, Manhattan. In 1987 he was assigned as the Business Development officer in midtown Manhattan, and in 1990 he assumed responsibility for interacting with Westchester municipalities in sourcing new business from these entities.
 
Following his retirement, Gottschall accepted a position with the Yonkers Chamber of Commerce as Economic Development Liaison with the City of Yonkers. In this role, he collaborated very closely with the city's mayor and his staff to bring new developments to Yonkers, including the $850 million Forest City project on Ridge Hill. He was a member of the Board of Directors of the Yonkers Industrial Development Agency, the Valley Development Corporation and Ridge Hill Development Corporation.
 
Over a 10-year period, Gottschall and a small group of Chase retirees organized eight  Chase reunions for Chase retirees in upper Manhattan, Bronx, Westchester and the Mid-Hudson region.
 
Gottschall left the Chamber of Commerce in 2006 and worked with two colleagues in spearheading the formation of The Westchester Bank. The bank opened in 2008 and over 10 years grew its presence to nine locations in Westchester County. Gottschall served on the bank’s Board of Directors for six years but decided in 2018 to take his retirement seriously.
 
He was predeceased by Marie, his wife of 50 years, and is survived by his daughter, Robin Talbert (Tim Talbert), two grandsons and two great-granddaughters. He is also survived by his siblings Francis (Jean), William (Kathleen), Eileen (Patrick), and many nieces and nephews.
 
(Thank you to Gottschall's colleague Ed Sheeran for providing this information.)

 

 
 
Memorial Mass | Remembrances
 
A Mass will be offered for Gottschall on Sunday, June 9, 2024, at 10:45 am at the Church of St. Joseph, Bronxville, NY. The Mass will be followed by brunch at JC Fogarty’s  Restaurant, 60 Kraft Street, Bronxville, NY.
 
We hope you will be able to join us in celebrating Bob’s life on planet earth and the help he provided countless people.
 
Please let Ed Sheeran know if you will be able to attend the Mass on June 9th  and/or the reception afterwards at JC Fogarty’s Restaurant. A head count is needed by the restaurant.
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Please send remembrances to
news@chasealum.org
 
 
From Verna McDavid: Thanks forever for being a part of my rising career when I worked at Chase. You will be truly missed. May you rest in peace. 🙏🙏🙏