Ronald Paul Gotzler

Ronald P. Gotzler (Ron) of Ridgecrest, CA passed away at home on March 25th, 2025,
after a lengthy battle with cancer. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle
and friend.

Ron was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1947. He was the oldest child and son of
Charlotte and Paul Noble, big brother to Mickey, Patty and Sue. He was his mother's
"Mr. Wonderful" and was close with his dad, spending many summers fishing together.
He was also a devoted father to his three children Carrie, Joe and Steve. In 2012, he
married the love of his life, Cathy, and gained his bonus son Jon. Cathy and Ron were
devoted to each other and had many exciting adventures, travelling to Hawaii, Italy, and
the Caribbean.

When Ron was 17, he enlisted in the US Navy. He served for 8 years, working as a Fire
Control Technician aboard the USS Albany and USS Little Rock. In the Navy, Ron
maintained and operated advanced weapons systems technologies such as anti-aircraft
defense missiles, surface fire control systems, and missile tracking systems. Ron came
to China Lake while still in the Navy and was honorably discharged in 1973. He made
Ridgecrest his home, working at the Naval Air Warfare Center – Weapons Division as a
civil servant under the Department of Defense as a project manager and eventual
branch head until 1995, and then with Electronic Warfare Associates (EWA) as a
principal analyst for thirty years.

Ron had many hobbies, interests and passions. He was very proud of his Catholic faith
and was also a long-time member of the Knights of Columbus (K of C), Council 3199,
Third Degree and Fourth Degree. During his years with the K of C, Ron served in
multiple capacities including holding the positions of Grand Knight and as the Financial
Secretary. Ron's other love, and perhaps his greatest passion was aviation. Starting
from an early age he built RC models, and in 1984 earned his private pilot's license. He
was also an active member of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), volunteering
countless hours of his time at the annual EAA Airventure airshow - one of his favorite
places. On three memorable occasions he flew his trusty Stinson aircraft from California
to Wisconsin and back to attend the airshow. Later in life he rediscovered a joy for
woodworking, and he was a life-long fan and shareholding owner of the Green Bay
Packers.
Ron was a generous, adventurous, and outspoken man. He spent his life serving his
country and his community, in the military, as a civil servant, with the Knights, and
through his Church. He was a cherished friend, mentor, and colleague to many
throughout his career. He was also an adoring husband and father who will be forever
missed.

Ron is survived by his wife, Cathy, his sisters, Michele Armbrust and Pat Noble, both in
Medford, Wisconsin; his daughter Carolyn O'Connell of Shorewood, WI; his sons
Joseph Gotzler (Ashley) of Lakewood, CA; Steven Gotzler (Margaret) of Chapel Hill,
NC, and Jon Kauppi (Sydney) of Arnold, MO, along with granddaughters Maddie
O'Connell and Scarlett Kauppi and grandson Eli Kauppi.

There will be a funeral mass followed by a memorial reception on Saturday April 5th at
1:00 PM at St. Ann's Catholic Church. Ron will be finally laid to rest after a brief ceremony at the Northwoods National Cemetery, in Harshaw, Wisconsin, joining his previously deceased parents, Paul and Charlotte Noble.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Bob Hoover Academy.
www.bobhooveracademy.org