Frank Gutek, 84, of Deming, N.M., died suddenly Aug. 21 at his residence.
He was born in Fall River, Mass. on Oct. 25, 1925, the son of Polish immigrants – Stella and Charles Gutek.
After serving in the Navy during WWII as a gunner’s mate in the Pacific, he married Hilda Johnson and moved to Newcastle. Most will remember him as the lab and x-ray technician at Miles Memorial Hospital, where he worked for 25 years. He served in the Naval Reserves for 20 years teaching medics and retired as Master Chief Petty Officer. In the mid-80s, he moved to Florida where he returned to his love of the sea and worked on a fishing boat. In the mid-90s, he relocated to southern New Mexico and became a serious rock hound working as a ranger at Rock Hound State Park in Deming, N.M.
Always quick with an interesting story, he had an amazing gift for entertaining others. Frank loved flora and fauna, especially dogs and roses. Everything that he did, he did with gusto and precision. He will also be remembered for his wit and humor.
He was preceded in death by his wife Hilda and three brothers.
He leaves behind a daughter, Susan (Muller) of Chicago, Ill.; son, Richard of Newcastle; grandchildren, Brian and Eric Muller of Chicago, Ill., Joshua Gutek of Miami Beach, Fla., and Lindsay Gutek of Damariscotta; brother, Zygmund Gutek of Fall River, Mass.; companion, Joan Scanlin of Demin, N.M.; several nieces and nephews; a God-daughter; and his beloved dog, Brock.
Donations in his name may be made to the Disabled American Veterans or the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
A private burial is planned for the summer of 2011 in the Gutek family cemetery.
