On August 19th, 2022, Gerrie Kautz, father, grandfather, friend, and colleague passed away peacefully and quickly at the age of 84 in Ottawa. Gerrie will be lovingly missed and cherished by his daughter, Cammie Ritchie, and grandson, Marshall Ritchie. Gerrie’s many friends and colleagues will remember the memories of happy times together for years to come.
Gerrie was born in Winnipeg and grew up in the southern Manitoba town of Ridgeville. In 1956, he entered the Royal Roads Military College as a naval cadet, moving on to the University of Manitoba where he received his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering. After a brief try at pilot training, he continued with naval training. He had appointments on the HMCS Fraser and the HMCS MacKenzie as a navigator. In 1965, he taught in the Department of Electrical Engineering at the Royal Military College of Canada while he worked for and completed his master’s degree in 1967. Following this, Gerrie became the assistant engineer officer on the HMCS MacKenzie, for the National Defence Headquarters in Ottawa in DMEE-7, and at the staff college in Toronto. Later, he worked as an engineering officer on the HMCS St. Croix, the Fourth Training Squadron, and the Esquimalt Dockyard. Gerrie was the founding Commanding Officer of the Naval Engineering Unit Pacific in 1975. In 1977, Gerrie returned to Ottawa as the section head of DMEE-7, that he retired from in 1989.
Gerrie’s second career was spent in international marketing where he conducted business in over 40 countries. He was instrumental in exporting more than half a billion dollars’ worth of Canadian products with a few companies but mainly with General Dynamics (Ottawa). He retired in 1998 to help care for his wife, Edna-May “Eddie” (Dysart) Kautz. During this time, Gerrie worked for over 10 years as a business and marketing consultant. He was also an author with over 8 published books in Canada and the USA. His golden years were spent happily helping and sharing his vast business knowledge and support sitting on local committees, assisting local businesses, building and organizing community associations, volunteering his time and services to charity events, and so much more. He was an active and dedicated member and pillar in the Greely area and beyond.
The interment will be on September 9th, 2022, 2:00-2:30pm at Beechwood Cemetery, Ottawa, ON. for family and close friends. The Celebration of Life will be on October 16th, 2022, 1:00-3:00pm, at Orchardview Wedding and Event Centre, Greely, ON. for family, all friends, and colleagues to attend.
Donations can be made in Gerrie’s name to the Canadian divisions of the Heart and Stroke Foundation and Alzheimer’s Society.
Livre de visiteurs
Richard (Dick) and Jeannie Cobbold
Jon Jennekens, O.C.
Gerrie Kautz was one of the finest individuals that I have ever met during a lifetime of involvement with national and international, governmental, industrial and military organizations. His care of and devotion to his family, his dedication to the well being of others and his service to Canada in its broadest sense were exemplary. He will be sorely missed but never forgotten by those who were privileged to know him.
a true friend and colleague lost all too soon and sadly missed. Gerrie was frequently in touch by phone and over lunches and especially for the annual gathering and picnic at his house with RMC Classmates, spouses and partners. More than a fellow former naval person, a sailor and man of great heart and wise thoughts in sailing the world of business, ideas, books and selfless volunteering.