Roland T. Goetz

Roland T. Goetz, age 89, of Kinross, MI passed away on September 28, 2023. He was born in Detour, MI to John Matthew Goetz and Rosabelle Nellie Goetz (later, Oberle) on March 18, 1934. He was raised in Detour, Curtis, and Newberry, MI and graduated from Newberry High School in 1952. He served in the United States Coast Guard from 1952 to 1956 stationed aboard the buoy tender Mesquite and as a foreman for a crew of civilian workers who constructed communication lines to the Manitou Island Light Station just east of the Keweenaw Peninsula. Roland married Gail M. Hines (1934-2015) of Newberry, MI on April 3, 1954. After being honorably discharged from the Coast Guard, he attended Michigan Technological University in Houghton, for two years and then Northern Michigan University in Marquette, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics in 1959. He served as a high school science and mathematics teacher in Port Huron, and then Indian River, until 1965. He subsequently worked as a computer programmer at General Motors Corporation in Detroit until 1969 when he joined the Michigan State Correctional Facility at Ionia, as a teacher and principal of its Vocational Education Program. During his time at Ionia, he attended graduate education classes at night by commuting from either his home in Grand Rapids or his workplace in Ionia to the Michigan State University campus in East Lansing. He received a Master's Degree in Vocational Education from Michigan State University College of Education in 1976. Beginning in 1977, he served as principal at the Kinross Correctional Facility in Kinross, retiring from his service to the State of Michigan in 1992. His hobbies included trap shooting, garage sales, and puttering on cars. After retirement, he enjoyed going to camp and deer hunting. He and Gail enjoyed traveling around the United States visiting family and friends. Roland and Gail raised and are survived by three children, Catherine Wernette (D'Arcy) of Auburn, AL, William Goetz (Christine) of Rudyard, MI, and Amy Anderson (Norm Guild) of Jackson, MI; and their five grandchildren, Matthew (Sarah) Wernette (Minneapolis, MN), Benjamin (Mary) Wernette (Cumming, GA), Kyle Goetz (Cedarville, MI), Alexandra Goetz (Rudyard, MI) and Ryan (Monika) Anderson (Augusta, MI); four great-grandchildren, Clara and Sullivan Wernette, and Benjamin and Estella Anderson; as well as many nieces and nephews. Roland is also survived by his Aunt Lucille Koski of Marquette. Roland was predeceased by his wife Gail (2015); brothers, Edward Goetz (2015) and John Goetz (1975). Roland did not wish for a memorial service; however, contributions may be made to support Cedar Cove Assisted Living Facility, 266 Mary L Street, Cedarville, MI 49719 (https://cedarcoveassistedliving.org/). Roland was, and the remaining family is, deeply grateful for the friendship and care given during his time there (2020-2023). Family Life Funeral Homes is serving the family. Condolences may be left to the family at www.csmulder.com

Tributes

Roland T. Goetz

March 18, 1934 - September 28, 2023