Memories of Caleb
Caleb was removed from life support at Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus early Monday morning, a day after his five siblings arrived in Ohio, joining their parents to say their final farewells. The family decided to donate Caleb's organs as a "gift of life" to others, and by mid-morning doctors were operating to carry out the family's wish.
Caleb's parents, Laura and Eric Gottinger, and their other children have been meeting with Caleb's friends and fellow swim-team members, reaching out to offer comfort to his Kenyon family as they take comfort in turn from those who knew and were touched by Caleb here. President S. Georgia Nugent and other College officials, including physician Tracy W. Schermer, have also spent a good deal of time with the family.
"The Gottingers are struggling heroically to come to terms with the loss of their son and brother," said Nugent. "Their faith is a great source of strength to them at this time."
The family returns home to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, later today. The College will announce funeral arrangements and a designation for memorial contributions for Caleb as soon as they are available. Plans for a campus memorial service will be announced as well.
Caleb, who had turned 19 on February 16, just a day before his death, was the second of six children. His siblings range in age from 21 to 13. The three oldest children, including Caleb, were born in Africa, where their parents were serving as missionaries. Caleb and his family returned to Africa for shorter periods to help provide emergency famine relief.
"Caleb was highly thought of by everyone. He connected well with people of different cultures because of his international background," said Head Swimming Coach James Steen. "Caleb was a gritty swimmer and a tough competitor. He will be deeply missed."
All of the Gottinger children swim competitively. Caleb, a freestyler, was a state champion while a student at Riverside University High School in Milwaukee. "He was really a special kid, a special person," said one of his coaches, who was quoted in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "He was a fun person to coach, a fun person to watch grow up."
An archive of earlier news stories about Caleb Gottinger can be found here