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Promoted to Glory
Captain Bertil L. Gotrich was promoted to Glory on August 31, 2003.
Bertil was born in Landskrona, Sweden on June 13, 1915 to Salvationist parents, and entered the training college in Stockholm in 1934, in the Fishers of Men Session. He was commissioned the following year and sent to Visby, Gotland, in the first of a number of corps appointments.
In March 17, 1943, Bertil married Lt. Lissy Holm.
He composed more than five dozen songs, 25 of which were published. He also authored two books and many articles in the Swedish War Cry. During World War II, Bertil served as a chaplain in the Swedish Navy. Later, for 10 years, Lissy and Bertil toured the United States as singing evangelists known as “The Swedish Sunshine Singers.” For two of these years they served as divisional evangelists in the So. California Division.
Following the death of Lissy, he served as chaplain at the Los Angeles Harbor Light Center. In 1971, he married Major Rachel Ljungholm. Together they served as assistant directors of the Los Angeles Harbor Light and in 1972 they were appointed as the directors of the Portland, Ore., Harbor Light Center.
They retired in 1980 and relocated to Hudson, Florida, where they were active soldiers at the West Pasco Corps.
Bertil is survived by his wife Rachel, four children: Lt. Colonel Bodil Dahl, and her husband Marvin, Lennart Gotrich, and his wife Marianne; Bert Gotrich and his wife Jude; and Bjorn Gotrich; five grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, and his sister Rut Larson of Lund, Sweden
A service of remembrance was held at The Salvation Army West Pasco Corps, Port Richey, Florida, with Lt. Colonel Marvin Dahl officiating. Commissioner Orval Taylor gave a tribute. Condolences may be sent to Mrs. Captain Rachel Gotrich at 11821 Lakewood Drive, Hudson, FL 34669.