BALDWIN LAKE, Mich. -- A 59-year-old Middlebury man who drowned near his fishing boat Saturday was a longtime real estate agent in Elkhart County, a co-worker of his said.
Larry Bontrager was found floating unconscious in the water near his fishing boat at Baldwin Lake in Cass County, Mich., around 3 p.m. Saturday. He was taken to Elkhart General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Bontrager had recently taken over as owner of Bontrager Hardies Realty Inc. after his partner retired, said Julie Alert, association executive for the Elkhart County Board of Realtors. He served as president of the Elkhart County Board of Realtors from 1992 to 1993 and was voted realtor of the year by the association in 1991.
Alert said he spent many hours volunteering for area organizations.
"He was incredibly generous and was a mentor to many people, including myself," Alert said. "He was always there to step up whenever you needed him."
Elkhart County Coroner John White ruled his death an accidental drowning, he said today.
Bontrager had left his lake cottage around 11:30 a.m. to go fishing, but had not returned home in the afternoon. He was not wearing a life preserver.