Obituary of John W. Goetsch

John W. Goetsch, 88, passed away on Saturday, March 9, 2019 at home at Granite Farms Estates, Media, PA.  Born in Milwaukee, WI, he was predeceased by his parents Henry and Edith Goetsch and brothers Henry and James. He is survived by Joyce, his beloved wife of 66 years; his son Paul (Sherry) of Palm Bay, FL; his daughters Linda Kresge (Michael) of West Deptford, NJ, and Laura Goetsch (Robert Schiavone) of Narberth, PA; 10 grandchildren; and 7 great-grandchildren.  

After serving in the U.S. Army Signal Corp during the Korean War, John received his Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering at the University of Wisconsin, Madison.  While there, he was a member and president of Theta Tau Engineering Fraternity.  He spent his entire career with the B. F. Goodrich Chemical Company in various managerial positions including Chief Design Engineer of the Pedricktown, NJ plant.  

John believed in helping people and volunteered his time in many ways.  He was a long-time member of the Presbyterian Church at Woodbury in New Jersey where he was a Deacon, Elder, and Clerk of Session.  John was a member of the Kiwanis Club of Greater Woodbury, and upon retirement in 1992, he was a Red Cross volunteer in hurricane damaged areas where he did damage assessment and shelter management.    

Sports and aviation were his life-long interests.  John played golf and tennis regularly, and in his younger days excelled as a swimmer and diver.  He built model airplanes and attended air shows with his children, and on occasion, he had opportunities to take flights in airplanes of special interest to him, such as restored WW II aircraft.

John enjoyed taking vacations with his family, Elderhostel trips, and extensive travel to many countries around the world including two trips to Israel where he and Joyce renewed their marriage vows in the Church at Cana.

John will be remembered as a kind and warm-hearted father, husband, and friend.

A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held at Granite Farms Estates, 1343 W. Baltimore Pike, Media, PA on Saturday, March 23, 2019 at 11 AM, followed by a luncheon.  

Those who wish may make contributions in John’s name to his favorite charity, Mission Teens, Inc., PO Box 131, Glendora, NJ 08029.