E

lliot Gottfurcht, formerly of Detroit, 
recently died in Santa Monica, Calif., 
surrounded by his loving family 
members: his daughter, Marlo Gottfurcht 
Longstreet; his granddaughter, Casey 
Longstreet; his son, Grant Gottfurcht; and 
his grandson, Jackson Gottfurcht.
El, as he was affectionately known 
throughout life, was born on New Year’s 
Eve in 1939 to Fred and Helene Gottfurcht 
in Detroit. He often said that he grew up 
in “Camelot,” formal-
ly known as Palmer 
Woods, at the northern 
end of Detroit, where 
he made and enjoyed 
lifelong friendships.
El attended Hampton 
School; and before 
he entered Mumford 
High School, he was 
invited to join and was 
inducted in The Saxons, 
a social service and 
athletic club, becom-
ing a “Saxon for Life.” 
He was an outstand-
ing athlete, lettering 
in varsity football at 
Mumford. He went on 
to study at Western 
Reserve University 
in Ohio. Following this, the pioneer and 
adventure spirit struck him, drawing him 
to Los Angeles, where he graduated from 
USC. From the time that El arrived in Los 
Angeles, his “star” rocketed.
Elliot Gottfurcht developed several 
significant real estate projects in the Los 
Angeles area, including Beverly Glen, 
Sierra Tower and the Carriage House, now 
known as the “W” Hotel, and one of the 
most outstanding and most affluent resi-
dential developments, Beverly Park.
El was also active in Michigan real estate 
as a major partner in North Park Towers, 
North Park Place and North Park Square. 
He never stopped working and had several 
pending projects even at the time of his 
demise.
El invented and patented numerous tech-
nology discoveries and even wrote several 
screenplays. When his beloved grandson 
Tanner died, El and his daughter Marlo 

created the Tanner Project Foundation and 
Stage O Health.
Elliot was a pioneer, a believer, a think-
er and a creator of visions, most of which 
were ahead of his time. Over the years, 
he was also affectionately known as “Billy 
Rote” or “Bad Billy Rote” because he had 
the reputation of being wild, crazy, funny, 
stubborn, sensitive, inspirational, talented, 
memorable, unique, generous, kind, loving 
and incredibly humble. 
El liked to work from 
home, even back before 
it became as popular as 
it is today. He was defi-
nitely ahead of his time.
He loved his family 
and was a great dad and 
“papa” to his children 
and grandchildren. He 
was proud of his kids 
and his grandkids. His 
family and friends were 
so lucky and proud to 
have him always by their 
side and couldn’t ask for 
a better supporter and 
cheerleader.
El was a private per-
son who respected oth-
ers’ privacy as he would 
ask that his own privacy 
be respected, keeping his own battle with 
cancer private.
Elliot Gottfurcht is survived by his 
daughter, Marlo Gottfurcht Longstreet; his 
granddaughter, Casey Longstreet; his son, 
Grant Gottfurcht; his grandson, Jackson 
Gottfurcht; his brother, John Gottfurcht; 
cousins and many friends.
Elliot was predeceased by his parents, 
Fred and Helene Gottfurcht; his grandson, 
Tanner Longstreet; his older sister, Renda 
Gottfurcht Hertz; and his younger brother, 
James Gottfurcht.
In an immediate-family very private 
burial, he was laid to rest right next to his 
beloved grandson Tanner; they are togeth-
er again. El will always be in the family’s 
hearts and greatly missed and loved.
Contributions may be made to the 
Tanner Project Foundation, 15332 Antioch 
St., Suite 325, Pacific Pallisades, CA 90272, 
tanner/project.org. 

A Memorable, Talented Man

OCTOBER 27 • 2022 | 69

Elliot Gottfurcht

Iris Schultz. 
Interment was at Adat 
Shalom Memorial Park. 
Contributions may be made 
to a charity of one’s choice. 
Arrangements by Ira Kaufman 
Chapel. 

MAGGIE 
THIRMAN, 97, 
of West 
Bloomfield, died 
Oct. 14, 2022. 
She was active 
with Hadassah, 
the Zekelman 
Holocaust Center 
and was a long-
time member of 
Congregation B’nai Moshe 
and its sisterhood. 
Mrs. Thirman is survived 
by her sons and daughters-in-
law, Mark and Stacey Thirman 
of Wayland, Mass., Dr. 
Michael and Karen Thirman 
of Wilmette, Ill.; grandchil-
dren, Sarah Thirman, Sam 
Thirman, Charlotte Thirman, 
Lilly Thirman, Dr. Jonathan 
Thirman and Rabbi Goldie 
Guy, Daniel Thirman, Hannah 
Thirman. 
She was the beloved wife 
for 57 years of the late Marcel 
Thirman; dear sister and sis-
ter-in-law of the late Phyllis 
and the late George Hoffman. 
Her parents and four other 
siblings were murdered during 
the Holocaust.
Contributions may be 
made to Congregation B’nai 
Moshe, 6800 Drake Road, 
West Bloomfield, MI 48322; or 
Zekelman Holocaust Center, 
28123 Orchard Lake Road, 
Farmington Hills, MI 48334. 
Services and interment were 
held at Oakview Cemetery in 
Royal Oak. Arrangements by 
Hebrew Memorial Chapel.