Former Yonkers IDA board member, banker, dies

Robert Gottschall, who during his career was active in civic affairs in Yonkers as well as having a long career in banking in Westchester, has died at age 84.

Gottschall at one time had served the Yonkers Chamber of Commerce as its economic development liaison with the City of Yonkers. He was a member of the board of directors of the Yonkers Industrial Development Agency and also was on the board of the Ridge Hill Development Corporation.

His approximately 35-year career with Chase began in 1958 when he joined Chase Manhattan Bank in the management training program. He worked in various branches in Manhattan, before being assigned as assistant manager and later as manager of Chase Bank in Hartsdale. In 1981, he became zone manager of North Westchester and the Mid-Hudson Region. After becoming vice president and manager of the Rockefeller Center Branch, Chase’s largest, he was named business development officer in midtown Manhattan and in 1990 assumed responsibility for interacting with Westchester municipalities in sourcing new business from these entities.

Gottschall was involved in formation of The Westchester Bank, which opened in 2008 and in ten years grew to have nine locations in Westchester County. He served on the bank’s board of directors.

Gottschall had been born and raised in the Bronx and his education included Immaculate Conception Grammar School, Cardinal Hayes High School, American Institution of Banking and Pace University. He was predeceased by his wife of 50 years, Marie.