Longboat Key : Obituaries

Frederick Gentner

Frederick Gentner, 83, of Longboat Key and formerly of Yorktown, N.Y., died Feb. 10.

Born Aug. 26, 1932 to Julius and Clarissa Gentner, in Highland Park, Mich., Mr. Gentner grew up on Copake, N.Y. He graduated from Roeliff Jansen Central Schools, in Hillsdale, N.Y., and attended Renssalaer Polytechnic Institute as a student in electrical engineering. He served in the Army for two years in 1954 and 1955.

Mr. Gentner worked at AT&T for more than 30 years as an engineering supervisor and was involved in the laying of fiber optic cables.

While living in Yorktown, he was involved with the Boy Scouts, Shrub Oak Athletic Club and men’s bowling leagues at Jefferson Valley Lanes. He was a deer hunter and belonged to an Adirondack hunting club affectionately known as “F Troop.” He was an avid golfer and also enjoyed traveling. He most recently traveled to Paris, Alaska, the Panama Canal and the Caribbean.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Patricia, whom he married in 1956, in Brooklyn, N.Y.; son, Tom, and his wife Elizabeth Wrobel Gentner; daughter, Debbie Gentner Arias, and her husband, George; two granddaughters; and numerous nieces and nephews.

John “Jack” Nothacker

John “Jack” Charles Nothacker, 77, of Longboat Key, died Feb. 3.

Born March 1, 1938, in Alameda, Calif., he was raised in the Child City of Mooseheart, Ill. He was an outstanding athlete and made several all-state teams, earning 16 varsity letters in high school sports. He still holds the school record for shot put, discus and high-point scorer in basketball. At North Central College, in Naperville, Ill., he lettered in three sports. He was named captain of the small college All-American Team in the NAIA Bowl. In 2011, he was inducted into the North Central College Athletic Hall of Fame.

Mr. Nothacker received his Bachelor of Science degree from North Central College, and his graduate degrees were earned at Northern Illinois University, in De Kalb, Ill.

He devoted his life to education. He served District 61, in Darien, Ill., for 38 years as a teacher, principal and superintendent of the schools. He received many outstanding awards for his educational achievements.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Katherine; son, Jeff, and his wife, Kelli; daughter, Kristine, and her husband, Jeff Ploense; six grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 27, at Longboat Island Chapel, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Longboat Island Chapel Scholarship Fund, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key, FL 34228.