Obituary: Robert John Goetz

MADISON [Wisconsin] - Robert John Goetz, age 95, died on Thursday, Aug. 16, 2001, in Waukesha, Wis. Bob was born on Nov. 30, 1905, in Genesee, Wis., the son of John and Anna (Mertz) Goetz. He lived in Madison more than 85 years. Bob graduated from Madison Central High School and the University of Wisconsin School of Business (commerce) in 1927. He was a member of Alpha Kappa Lambda fraternity. He was employed by the state of Wisconsin for 43 years as auditor and accountant. When he retired in 1971, he was supervisor of the pre-audit division of the Department of Administration. In 1931, at Luther Memorial Church, he married Ruth Frances Walker, who died on Jan. 6, 1998, after almost 67 years of marriage. He was an active member of the Madison West Lions Club, where he served as treasurer for many years. He was a longtime member of Luther Memorial Church, where he was active in many areas, including ushering, teaching Sunday school, and council. He is survived by a daughter, Marjorie (Raymond) Rucks of Brookfield; two sons, Robert (Janet) of Chicago, Ill., and James (Diane) of Brooklyn, N.Y.; four grandchildren, Steven (Shelly) Rucks of St. Paul, Minn., Lori Rucks (Paul) Kinzer of Waterford, Wis., and Graham Goetz and Katie Goetz, both of Brooklyn, N.Y.; four great-grandchildren, Rebecca and Natalie Rucks, and Sandra and Thomas Kinzer; a sister, Ruth Petersen of Madison; nieces, Jean Petersen (Mike) Graff of Madison, and Sue Goetz (Chuck) Willke of Hood River, Ore.; nephews, David (Sherry) Petersen of Wales, Wis., and Phil (Karen) Goetz of New Mexico; two sisters-in-law, Evelyn Walker and Helen Karberg of Madison; a niece, Elizabeth Hambrecht of Milwaukee; and a nephew, Dennis (Rita) Walker of Kansas City, Mo. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth, in 1998; his sister, Katherine; his brother John (and his wife, Florence); and his brothers-in-law, Edwin Petersen, William Karberg, and Miles Walker (and his wife, Janet). Funeral services will be held at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 3610 Speedway Road, on Saturday, Aug. 25, 2001, at 11 a.m., with the Rev. Shelly Bobb officiating. Friends may call from 10 a.m. until the time of the service. Burial will follow at Sunset Memory Gardens. Memorials may be made to Luther Memorial Church and the Madison West Lions Club.


Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on August 22, 2001; submitted by Michael Vahldieck (Class of 1968)