[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 86 (Monday, June 1, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E804]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING DAVID JOHN GOTAAS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROBERT J. DOLD

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, June 1, 2015

  Mr. DOLD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of David John 
Gotaas, a resident of Northbrook, who passed away on May 23, 2015.
  Born in Chicago to Lois and David S. Gotaas on March 2, 1951, David 
was raised a missionary child in Venezuela until his family returned to 
the Chicago area where David attended New Trier High School (1968), 
Wheaton College (BA, Economics, 1972) and Northwestern University (MBA, 
1974). Although he began his career as a Certified Public Accountant, 
David was an entrepreneur at heart, and gladly traded corporate 
pursuits for self-made ventures in real estate, which he viewed as both 
business and ministry.
  In 1978, David married the love of his life and best friend, Sally 
Slingerland, who attended Winnetka Bible Church where his father 
pastored. David and Sally settled in Northbrook where they raised four 
daughters.
  David's childhood on the mission field marked him with a passion to 
serve others around the world. An active member of the Winnetka Rotary 
Club, David helped initiate the first Rotary Club in the country of 
Kosovo in 2005. David's involvement in Kosovo also included service on 
the Advisory Board for the Kosovo American Education Fund and the Board 
of Trustees for the American Councils for International Education.
  David's travels brought him not only to Kosovo, but to over 80 
countries around the world. A member of the Circumnavigators Club of 
Chicago, David's favorite travel destinations were far from the typical 
tourist trail, including recent trips to Myanmar and Bangladesh, where 
he purposefully sought out the humblest accommodations to connect with 
locals and practice simplicity. Despite the breadth of his adventures, 
perhaps his favorite destination was Yosemite National Park, where he 
enjoyed bringing anyone willing to keep up with him. Wherever he 
traveled, David was known to share his adventures via postcards to 
family, friends and acquaintances.
  David will be remembered for his passionate love for Jesus Christ, 
love for family, integrity, thoughtfulness and generosity. He is 
survived by his wife, Sally, and his four daughters, Anne, Kathryn, 
Mary and Laura. In his final years, perhaps David's greatest joy was 
his grandchildren: Nathan, Nora, Kate, Silas and a fifth due in 
September.

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