Walt Gutowski Sr. MLive Article
Originally Posted on MLive
GRAND RAPIDS, MI – When a doctor told Walter Gutowski Sr. to find another line of work due to his allergic reactions to the ink at his Grand Rapids printing business, the former newspaper boy refused to hear the advice.
Gutowski's fingers bled after working with the printing presses at Swift Printing but he didn't see any other way.
“He said, 'This is what I love,'" said his son, Walt Gutowski Jr. "He just loved the printed word."
Gutowski Sr. is remembered for his dedication to his business, family, and physical fitness following his death on Wednesday, Dec. 18.
He suffered from symptoms of a severe stroke and dementia, yet the 91-year-old's energy was palpable through his final years. He was a fixture on the racquetball courts at the downtown David D. Hunting YMCA until age 89, and the year before that he celebrated his birthday by zipping down the facility's large water slide.
His life motto was simple yet genuine: “Work hard and be nice,” said Gutowski Jr., a Grand Rapids city commissioner and owner of Swift Printing. He shared those values with his son and six daughters.
Gutowski Sr. founded Swift Printing with his late wife, Lorraine, in 1950. The company moved to its current headquarters, 404 Bridge St. NW, in 1954, where Gutowski Sr. worked with partner Don Rau.
When Gutowski Sr. took the high school student John Doering under his wing as an employee in the 1970s, the business was small, but the two-man crew stayed busy. Gutowski Sr. was adamant about putting in a good day, every day. Doering remembers his former boss' creative approach to challenges.
"He called the difficult jobs stinkers. But he was going to solve it. He was going to figure it out and get it produced," Doering said.
Gutowski Sr., his first boss, came to be the father figure Doering lacked.
"He took the time to teach me everything about the printing business that he knew. I’m still in it now, working on the financial side," the Midland resident said. "He was the guiding influence in my life ... in a really critical time for me as a teenager and I’ve never forgotten it."
Gutowski Jr. as a young boy would accompany his dad at the shop. Their work days were always capped with workouts and games at the Y.
He was an avid racquetball player and was ranked 11th in the country at age 59 and in the top five when he was in his 80s. He was an ambassador for the YMCA, where a racquetball court is named in his honor.
"He was a racquetball advocate so much so that he would literally give out racquets, racquetballs, and goggles so that they would be safe," said Ron Nelson, president and chief executive officer of the YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids. "He wanted to introduce other people to the sport and sort of have this life-long experience with it."
After health setbacks including a heart attack and a stroke, Gutowski Sr. was determined to return to the gym – at first in a wheelchair, then with a walker.
At the YMCA and around Grand Rapids, Gutowski Sr. had a tradition of passing out apples – as many as his age at the time – to random people. “Eating an apple a day was the secret to health,” he'd say.
"My dad could get away with anything. He was so genuine, so lovable," Gutowski Jr. said.
Gutowski Sr. is survived by his children Mary Anne (Bob) Van Bennekom, Dianne Marie (Greg) Leech, Phyllis Jean (Martin) Jones, Patricia Sue (Ed) Nozal, Walter (Amy) Gutowski Jr., Anne (John) Stanitzek, Susan Jean (Dan) Baar; grandchildren and great grandchildren. For the full obituary, click here.
A funeral will be held 2 p.m. Monday at St. Anthony of Padua Church, 2510 Richmond St. NW, where he will repose one hour prior to the mass.
The family will receive visitors 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. Sunday at Arsulowicz Brothers Mortuary West, 585 Stocking Ave. NW, where Walter Gutowski's tradition of passing out apples will continue.
Memorial contributions may be made to the YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids Walt Gutowski Sr. Golf Outing benefiting the Strong Kids Campaign, Faith Hospice, or the Franciscan Life Process Center.
Angie Jackson covers public safety and breaking news for MLive/The Grand Rapids Press. Email her at ajackso3@mlive.com, and follow her on Twitter.
