GELZER, Gary

West Valley View, Avondale, Arizona Friday, October 19, 2012 Goodyear Councilman Gary Gelzer, 63, of Goodyear died Oct. 13, 2012, from cancer. He was a retired Navy officer who served during the Vietnam War and left the service as a lieutenant commander, USNR. He was a business executive with a bachelor's in history from Northwestern University, a master's of business administration from Dartmouth College and a master's of science in geography from St. Cloud University. Gelzer played a large part in Goodyear city government and was appointed to the Planning and Zoning Commission Feb. 24, 2003. "He made very good decisions when he voted there," Goodyear Mayor Georgia Lord said. "I used to tell him that he really helped, especially during the years where there was a lot of building." He attended almost every meeting and often made public comments on matters before the commission. He was a strong advocate for quality development and enhanced city services. He served until Dec. 13, 2010, when he was appointed to the City Council. He was on the 2003 General Plan Advisory Committee, the 2002 Farmland Preservation/Desert Open Space Committee and the Phoenix-Goodyear Airport Master Plan Committee. He was also in Leadership West, Class VII. He served on the board of directors, the Education Committee and was formerly a Leadership West Alumnus of the Year. Lord described Gelzer as someone who loved transportation issues and especially trains. "I called him my rock, and so I'm definitely going to miss him," she said. "He gave me lots of advice and he was a special person." Gelzer would have been eligible for re-election in March 2013. "His illness came without notice and has robbed all of us of the talents, energy and passion of a man who loved his community, loved his family and truly cared about people," Lord said in a written statement. He is survived by his wife, Charlotte Kafitz; and two sisters. Services will be private. Memorials can be made to Kare Bears, 15383 W. Cheery Lynne Road, Goodyear AZ 85395, or to Hospice of the Valley at 1510 E. Flower St., Phoenix AZ 85014.