Obituary of Daniel Dean Gestwick

Daniel Dean Gestwick died on June 1st, 2022, in San Diego, California. Dan was born on March 18, 1946 in Schenectady, NY to Herman and Jean (Jamro) Gestwicki. Dan spent his childhood in Schenectady, and graduated from Draper High School in 1964. He earned a BS in electrical engineering from Union College in 1968 and was hired by General Electric shortly thereafter. Dan retired from GE in 2006.

Dan's world revolved around his family. He and his wife, Linda, met in 1971 and married in 1972. They had two sons, who were the light of Dan’s life. He was always proud and supportive of them. He and Linda enjoyed traveling wherever their kids went to keep up on their lives and, often, to lend them a hand with a project. When grandchildren entered his life, it was the icing on the cake and Dan took enormous joy in time spent with them. He, Sage, and Campbell enjoyed dance parties with loud music and lights, and performing “quality control” on Linda’s baked goodies.

Dan loved to travel. He was awed by the beauty of national parks and wide open spaces. He enjoyed visiting foreign countries and partaking in what the different cultures had to offer - especially when those offerings were delicious. He and Linda traveled to Sint Maarten regularly and gathered their family there for memorable times. A highlight of his career was the six months he worked at Nuovo Pignone in Florence, Italy. Italy had a special place in his heart, and he and Linda returned there three times after he retired. Dan enjoyed photography, capturing the scenery and places he visited in pictures.

Dan took up woodworking after he retired, creating many lovely pieces for the family to cherish. He was naturally curious and would take time to investigate things that could benefit his family or his travels. He was always willing and eager to lend his time and skills to friends and family in any way he could.

Dan leaves behind his wife of almost 50 years, Linda (Cornell) Gestwick, his sons Daniel (Michele Koehler) and Michael (Rebecca Cohen) Gestwick, the most wonderful grandchildren in the world Sage and Campbell Gestwick,his brother, David Gestwick and extended family locally and around the country.

The family is grateful to the emergency personnel at the San Diego Airport and the EMTs and staff at UCSD Hospital for their efforts in trying to save Dan’s life. We would also like to acknowledge the wonderful people at Southwest Airlines, especially Vikki, in San Diego, and flight attendants Jill and Jeannie for their compassionate treatment of Dan's family on their journey home.

Public calling hours will be held at the Glenville Funeral Home, 9 Glenridge Road, on Wednesday, June 15^th, from 4pm to 7pm. The funeral will begin at 10am on Thursday, June 16^th   at the funeral home. Dan will be laid to rest at the Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery, Niskayuna.

In lieu of flowers, we encourage everyone whose life Dan touched to get CPR training or consider a donation to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital,  P.O. Box 1000 Dept. 142, Memphis TN 38148-0142.