Robert Gottschall
Robert Gottschall passed on February 5th, 2024, at the age of eighty-four.
He is predeceased by his wife Marie of 50 years and survived by his daughter Robin Talbert (Tim Talbert), two grandsons, James Talbert (Brittney), Jake Talbert (Deanna) and by two great granddaughters, Blaire, and Elle. He is also survived by his siblings Francis (Jean), William (Kathleen), Eileen (Patrick) and many nieces and nephews.
Bob was born and raised in the Bronx by his parents Francis and Gertrude and four siblings Francis Jr, Catherine, William, and Eileen.
He attended Immaculate Conception Grammar School, Cardinal Hayes High School, American Institution of Banking and Pace University.
Bob 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.
After working for thirty-eight years at Chase, Bob retired in 1996.
Following his retirement Bob accepted a position with Yonkers Chamber of Commerce as Economic Development Liaison with the City of Yonkers.
In this role Bob collaborated very closely with the Mayor of the City of Yonkers and his staff in bringing 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 nValley Development Corporation, and Ridge Hill Development Corporation.
Over a ten-year period, Bob and a small group of Chase retirees organized 8 Chase reunions for Chase retirees in upper Manhattan, Bronx, Westchester, and the Mid-Hudson region.
Bob 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 in ten years grew its presence to nine locations in Westchester County. Bob served on the bank’s Board of Directors for six years and decided at that time, to take his retirement seriously.
