Obituary of Charlie Gottlinger

Charlie Gottlinger, 58, of Windsor, passed away on August 17, 2023, in his home after a nearly 6-year battle with cancer.

Charlie was born on 6/21/65 to Hungarian immigrants, Charles, and Gabriella, in Poughkeepsie, NY.  Charlie grew up in Marietta, Georgia and graduated from Wheeler High School in 1983.  His high school soccer success, capped by being named to the All-American Team, continued at Georgia State University where he graduated in 1987.  His love of soccer extended into the amateur arena for several years with Datagraphic.  Although he was a quiet sort off the field, he greatly appreciated the humor, camaraderie, and character of his teammates. 

Charlie followed his father into the automotive aftermarket (paint, body, and equipment) industry as a regional manufacturer’s rep in 1987.  On tiring of the travel time that took him away from his family he started his own business in the same industry in 2000. 

While working at a restaurant during college, he met a girl, Allene, in 1984 and they were married on September 17, 1988.  Charlie and Allene went on to have two sons, Christopher, and Michael, of whom he was very proud.  Their youth kept the family active.  The family moved to Colorado in 2005 after multiple vacations out West - seeking a bit more “space” than the metro Atlanta area provided.  Hiking and snowboarding were on the menu when an opening in youth sporting events allowed. 

Charlie was diagnosed with Stage IV adenocarcinoma on November 2, 2017.  And so began the battle that forced him to leave behind his active lifestyle.  He had to close his business in 2018 but continued working until 2020 as the cancer progressed. 

Charlie felt truly blessed throughout his life by the presence of so many wonderful people who touched him, both in big and little ways, and in small moments or over many years.  The people in our lives are truly our greatest gift.

He is survived by his wife, Allene, their sons, Chris, and Michael; his brother George Gottlinger, his wife, Nicholette, and their children and grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation be made in Charlie’s memory:

Samaritan’s Purse (samaritanpurse.org)

Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (voc.org)