Gotthard “Gotty” Langstein passed away after a long battle with cancer on October 30, 2018 while in residence at the Heirloom Inn, in Price.  Gotty was born April 9th, 1933 to Joseph and Christine Langstein in Carlsbad, Czech Republic.

Gotty was 13 years old when WWII ended.  Once his war-torn and scattered family regrouped they returned to Germany, taking Gotty, the youngest who was born in the Czech Republic, with them.  When 14-year-old Gotty got his first job in Germany, he bought his first camera.  Photography was his passion his entire life thereafter.  Those who knew Gotty have seen his beautiful nature photography and some are blessed to have it displayed in their homes. Gotty graduated from the New York Institute of Photography after immigrating to America. He was most happy shooting wildlife photos all over the Western United States, but mostly while in Yellowstone Park. He took trips to Yellowstone almost every year. His photography has been published in several magazines and local newspapers.

Gotty always thought about America as a child but did not imagine he would ever live here.  When he turned 20 years old he applied for immigration status to the United States of America, and after 5 years waiting, he was granted an immigration visa in 1955.  He was sponsored by an American citizen to come here and had a job waiting for him.  He started working at a cinder block factory the day after he arrived in Salt Lake City.  When Gotty left Germany, he promised his sweetheart, Ursula Kichelmann, that he would send for her as soon as he could.  She did not believe him, but just one year later he sent for her.  When Ursula arrived in Salt Lake City, Ursula slapped him as soon as she saw him because he didn’t tell her how long it would take for her to get here via ship, and then bus.  They were married soon after on October 5, 1956. Gotty lost his one and only love, Ursula, in April 2000.

Gotty was drafted into the US Army shortly after his marriage to Ursula.  He was stationed for 2 years in Schofield, Hawaii and trained in the Special Forces. When he returned from the service he and Ursula began their family, and he began his plumbing apprenticeship and became a member of the Pipe Trades and Plumbers Union Local 57, now Local 140.  Gotty worked on several power plants, including Huntington, Hunter, Delta, and Bull Head City.  He worked on several hotels in Las Vegas including Caesar’s Palace, The Star Dust, Sahara, Desert Palms, the Mirage, and Excalibur.  After moving to Las Vegas and then to the 4 Corners Area, Gotty moved his family to Huntington, Utah in 1970 and there he remained.  He retired in 1998 from the same local.

Gotty is survived by his sons Roy (Penny) of Huntington, Jimmy of Huntington, his Grandson James Gabriel of Price, and loving daughter-in-law Christina.  He is preceded in death by his wife Ursula, his parents Joseph and Christine, brothers Alouis and Frank, and sister Mariannie.

We would like to thank all at Heirloom Inn and Rocky Mountain Hospice for caring for Gotty in his end time.

There will be no services scheduled after cremation. Arrangements entrusted to Mitchell Funeral Home of Price where friends are always welcome daily and may share memories of Gotty online at www.mitchellfuneralhome.net