Rene Gautschi

Mr. Rene Gautschi of Grasonville, Maryland passed peacefully at his home on March 3, 2025, at 9:53 pm. He was surrounded with family and friends at the time. Rene was born in Zurich, Switzerland on August 28, 1933. He is the son of Rudolf Gautschi and Martha Klara Gautschi Jauch. Rene had one sister, Sonja Spinnler Gautschi. Rene had one half-brother, Ruedi Gautschi; and two half-sisters, Elvira Lanz Gautschi and Marlies Wepf Gautschi from his father’s second marriage. While growing up in Switzerland, Rene developed a passion for soccer, finances, and architecture. After completing his architectural studies in Switzerland, Rene moved to Canada to start his architectural career. His first architectural job was designing parking garages. A few years later, he had the opportunity to design hotels, and moved to Miami, Florida. While in Miami, Florida, he met his first wife, Maria Dietz from Czechoslovakia. After a few years of experience in designing hotels, Rene had the opportunity to join Marriott Corporation and moved to the Washington, D.C. area. There, Rene and Maria had two children: Mathew Rene Gautschi and Craig Edward Gautschi. At the time when Rene began his career with Marriott Corporation, they had three hotels. During his 28-year career with Marriott Corporation, Rene was eventually in charge of Architecture, Construction, and Design. He was responsible for the design of many Marriot hotels including properties in: Washington DC; Atlanta; Orlando; New Orleans; Phoenix; Palm Springs; Cancun, Mexico; Hong Kong; plus, many other properties all over the world. In addition, Rene was also responsible for a new concept of Marriott hotels, the Marriott Courtyards. After his divorce, he moved to Silver Spring, Maryland where he began his passion for swimming and met his companion and second wife, Leona Larsen (Lee). They eventually relocated to Grasonville, Maryland and were married. While in Grasonville, Lee became legal guardian of her two grandchildren: Elizabeth Starr Vargas; and George Harvey Bernardo Vargas. Elizabeth and George were then raised in Grasonville. Rene retired from Marriott and continued architectural consulting for several years and developed a passion for sailing on the Chesapeake Bay, and continued his lifelong passion of soccer by coaching his step-grandchildren and neighbors. Rene was retired in Grasonville, Maryland until his passing on March 3, 2025. He is survived by his relatives from Switzerland: his nieces Doris Missel and Yvonne Camenisch; his half-brother Ruedi Gautschi; his half-sisters Elvira Lanz Gautschi and Marlies Wepf Gautschi; his grandnephews Manuel Missel and Gion Camenisch; his grandniece Ramona Camenisch; his half-nephews Marc Wepf and Ishan Gautschi; and his half-nieces Emmanuelle Lanz and Carola Wepf. He is survived by his American relatives: his wife Lee; his two sons Mathew and Craig; his granddaughters Maggie and Libby Gautschi; Lee’s grandchildren Elizabeth and George Larsen; and Rene and Lee’s dearest friend, Nora Spicer, who has supported their family more than anyone could ever ask for. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Compass Hospice 255 Comet Drive Centreville, MD 21619.

Rene Gautschi

August 28, 1933 - March 3, 2025