Caleb Gottinger '10

Caleb Gottinger '10, on February 17, 2007, of a massive subdural hemorrhage following an accidental fall. He was nineteen and a resident of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Caleb, who had turned nineteen on February 16, just a day before his death, was the second of six children. His siblings range in age from twenty-one to thirteen. The three oldest children, including Caleb, were born in Africa, where their parents were serving as missionaries. Caleb and his family returned to Africa for shorter periods to help provide emergency famine relief.

At Kenyon, Caleb was a member of the swim team and a pledge of Delta Tau Delta. A freestyler, he was a state champion while a student at Riverside University High School in Milwaukee. "Caleb was highly thought of by everyone. He connected well with people of different cultures because of his international background," said Head Swimming Coach James Steen. "Caleb was a gritty swimmer and a tough competitor. He will be deeply missed."

The family decided to donate Caleb's organs as a "gift of life" to others.

After Caleb's death, his parents, Laura and Eric Gottinger, and their other children met with Caleb's friends and fellow swim-team members, reaching out to offer comfort to his Kenyon family as they took comfort in turn from those who knew and were touched by Caleb here. President S. Georgia Nugent and other College officials, including physician Tracy W. Schermer, have also spent a good deal of time with the family.

Caleb is survived by his parents; five siblings; and grandmothers, Beatrice Duerlinger and Josephine Gottinger, both of West Allis, Wisconsin. A memorial service was held on campus on April 14, 2007.

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