Allegan, MI, died Wednesday, January 25, 2006 at Metron of Allegan. Mr. Gorter was born July 28, 1909 to Richard Gorter and Valerie Ivanosich, Lady of von Kustenfeld of Bad Toely, near Munich, Bavaria, Germany. He graduated from Realzgymnasium in Munich in 1926 and from the Naval School in Hamburg with a Captain's Degree in 1936. He finished in the German Naval Academy with a Lieutenant's Degree in 1938 and was later a student of the University of Hamburg. He was a member of the nautical corps "Hausea" in Hamburg and was Senior Second Navigating Officer with the Red Star Lines and Commanding Officer of Naval Units until 1939. Hans arrived in New York City on June 30, 1939. Finally on October 1, he found employment with a National Chain Store, and was assigned to the Huntington, WV office as a stock boy. Within a year, he had won several promotions and became manager of the Huntington store's automotive department. Returning to New York City in 1946, Hans became associated with National Garages. He joined the American Garages in 1948 and was transferred back to Grand Rapids as manager of the Grand Rapids Parking Garage, which was owned by the Wurzburg Co., which then led to the Allied Purchasing Corp. where he started his career as a buyer for Wurzburg, Herpolsheimers and eventually Goldblatt's in Chicago. In 1971, Hans attended the University of Milwaukee Hotel Motel School and graduated in 1973 from the Holiday Inn University as an Innkeeper. He retired from Sturgis Holiday Inn in 1976 to return to Allegan and pursue the one thing he loved most... his music. He enjoyed playing for anyone that would listen and donated many hours of entertainment to many different places. He also enjoyed playing with his good friend, Kenny. Surviving are his wife, Mary; 3 children, Nancy and Roger Smalla of Allegan, Al and Lois Brownell and Rosemary Moose, all of Arizona; 3 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren; 1 step-brother, Vernon Gorter of Arizona; 1 nephew in Germany. Private graveside services will be held at a later date in Hudson Corners Cemetery, Allegan Twp. Memorial contributions may be made to Dollars for Scholars. Arrangements by the Gorden Funeral Residence, Allegan Chapel.