Richard John "Dick" Gothner, 64,  of Nokomis, Florida passed away Thursday, October 8th, 2021 at sea, off Costa Rica, doing what he loved, cruising on the "Serenade of the Seas."

Dick was born on January 8, 1957 in Racine, Wisconsin and graduated from Washington Park High School in 1975. Three years later, he joined the United States Navy, serving as a hospital corpsman with the Seabees in Okinawa, Japan. He served until 1982, reaching the rank of Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class.

After leaving the Navy, he moved to Florida, settling in Sarasota. He spent more than 25 years as a firefighter and paramedic, beginning in 1983 with the South Trail Fire Department in Sarasota, which later became part of the Sarasota County Fire Department. He retired in 2011 at the rank of Captain.

Dick was always "on duty" — if he was off, and heard of someone needing help nearby, he would rush into action, something he was recognized for multiple times. He loved to help both family and strangers alike.

He would also take time on his days off to teach children about fire safety.

He spent four decades as a basketball referee, officiating games in Wisconsin and Florida at both the high school and college levels. He also parlayed his love of cruising into working as a travel agent for more than 20 years.

His most important role was being a father. He is survived by his son, Chris, of Des Moines, Iowa, his sister Susie (Dennis) Cramer of Madison, Wisconsin, and numerous friends.

He is predeceased by his wife of 32 years, Holly, his parents, John Jr. and Ruth Gothner of Venice, Florida, and grandparents, John Sr. and Mildred Gothner and Arthur and Kathryn Theiler.

A Celebration of Life Service will held be at 3:30 p.m., on Sunday, December 5th, at the F.O.P. Lodge at 3600 Circus Blvd, Sarasota, FL 34232 .

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the American Heart Association or the Sarasota Fire Fighters Benevolent Fund ( sffbf.org ).