Kenneth A. Gutschick, 90, passed away on June 25 in Rockville, Md., following a stroke. He was born in Chicago in 1924 and resided in Cicero, Ill., and the Chicago metropolitan area until 1956 when he and his wife Shirley relocated to Maryland.
Gutschick served in the U.S. Army Air Force from 1943-46 as a corporal in the Headquarters 19th Weather Squadron. After receiving training and serving at the Merced Army Air Field, California, he served overseas during World War II at air bases in Egypt, Sudan, Turkey, Bahrain Island, and Saudi Arabia.
Upon graduation in 1950 from the University of Chicago with an M.S. degree in physical geography and earth sciences, Gutschick worked for two years as a geology professor at Norte Dame University. He worked for three years as a field editor for Pit & Quarry and one year as an associate editor for Rock Products when both trade publications were based in Chicago.
Gutschick worked 34 years for the National Lime Association of Washington, D.C., and Arlington, Va. He served in several capacities, including manager of technical services, director of administration, vice president and executive director. As a noted expert on chemical lime, he authored many technical publications and made presentations on uses of lime in road and runway stabilization, mortar, water/waste water treatment, and manufacturing processes.
Gutschick also filmed, edited and produced several promotional films on the uses of lime. He served 30 years as secretary of the American Society for Testing and Materials’ Committee C-7 on Lime and received the ASTM Award of Merit in 1980. He had professional memberships with the International Lime Association; American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical, and Petroleum Engineers; Masonry Institute of America; Transportation Research Board; American Road and Transportation Builders Association; American Public Works Association; and American Water Works Association.
Gutschick is survived by son Carlton K. Gutschick and wife Anita of Arnold, Md.; son Scott A. Gutschick and wife Mary Belle of Potomac, Md.; daughter Sharon L. Weiss of Glenelg, Md.; 10 grandchildren and two great grandchildren. He is also survived by a cousin and 11 nieces and nephews. His wife of 64 years Shirley V. Gutschick preceded him in death.