He was born May 29, 1928, in Bronx, N.Y., to Charles John Goetz and Jenny Watt Goetz.
Mr. Goetz served in the United States Marine Corps for 22 ½ years, from 1945 to 1967, serving in China 1946-49, in the Korean War 1952-53, and in various other posts in the U.S. and overseas. He was particularly proud to have served for four years as a ceremonial staff member at Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C. Upon retiring from the Marine Corps, he completed a B.A. in Business Adminstration and earned a Masters’ in Library Science.
Mr. Goetz came to Salisbury in June 1978 as the new Director of Wicomico County Free Library, retiring from this position in April 1995 at the age of 67. He was a member of the local Chamber of Commerce for about 9 years and served on various committees. In 1979 he began serving on the Board of United Way as an area director, become Campaign Chairman in 1984 and Board President in 1985.
He joined the Salisbury Rotary Club in 1978 and was chosen Rotarian of the year two years in a row. Mr. Goetz and John Culver started two new clubs, the Wicomico Club in 1989 and the Seaford/Nanticoke Club in 1990. He also served as Treasurer 1987-88, President 1992-93, Area Representative for District Governor 1993-94, District Governor 1995-96, and chaired various committees over the 30 years of his membership, which included starting the Dictionary Project in the Salisbury club and the district. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Award in 2006-07. Goetz also served on the Board of Deershead Hospital in the 1980’s and as its President in 1989.
Mr. Goetz served on the Board of Directors of the China Marine Association 1993-2007, was President 1999-2001, Secretary 2002-2007, and remained active as their Historian and staff writer for their newsletter, writing articles about their service in North China. He is credited with having begun an archival collection of China Service artifacts and publications at the Marine Corps University Archives in Quantico, VA.
He is survived by wife of 60 years, Dorothy Marie Olsen Goetz of Salisbury: daughters: Diana Osborne and husband, Dan, of Garner, N.C.; Dot Barber and husband, Mark, of Linville, N.C.; Arlene Pace and husband, David, of Zebulon, N.C., Anita Goetz of Barnardsville, N.C.; Jennifer Albero and husband, Joe of Delmar, Delaware; and Jean Nelson and husband, Bob, of Salisbury; 10 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren, several nieces and a nephew.
Funeral services will be held, Wednesday, November 10, 2010, 6-8 p.m. at Holloway Funeral Home.
Memorial contributions can be made to Rotary Dictionary Fund or to the Wicomico County Free Library.
Arrangements are in the care of Holloway Funeral Home, 501 Snow Hill Rd. Salisbury, Maryland, 21804.To send condolences to the family visit http://www.hollowayfh.com/.
Joe:
ReplyDeleteDid Art write down or record his experience as a "China Marine" -- a rare breed in today's world?
This community is very fortunate to have the Goetz family as neighbors and colleagues. Mr.
ReplyDeleteGeotz is an honored American
whom commanded respect. God
Bless the Goetz family!
Rest in peace, Gunner. We'll both miss and fondly remember you.
ReplyDeleteMarine Doc
3:43-
ReplyDeleteArt was active in the China Marine Association -- I'll inform them of his passing.
China Marines Association
Membership:
Available to Marine or any other branch that served in direct support of the Marines in China up to 1941, was behind the lines during WWII, or from 1945-1949.
Points of Contact:
William Parker
183 S Waterlily Rd.
Coinjock, NC 27923
252-453-4124
OR
Arthur Goetz
811 Camden Ave
Salisbury, MD 21891-6203
410-742-0930
Yes, Art authored many articles about his history in China and other locations. The man was simply amazing.
ReplyDeleteQuite frankly, he was a gentle giant, yet a hard core Marine. Many would think being raised by a Marine would be a difficult and stressful life. There must be a lot said about having a Wife and SIX Daughters creating a perfect balance in military life.
Mind you, Dot Goetz is by far one of the most incredible women I have ever had the honor to know. Life was not easy for a Mother raising 6 children while Dad was overseas.
Joe,
ReplyDeleteMy heartfelt sympathy goes out to you, your wife and family. I am the proud mother of a Marine. Semper Fi Mr. Goetz,
Melody Knupp
Very sorry to hear of his passing. I knew him from his "library years" as director.
ReplyDeleteHe was a proud marine and just a good man.
Thank you for sharing the news with us and our sympathy to you and his entire family.
Art you were a man who gave to your country and your community. I'll see you on the other side. Semper Fi
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday, Marines!
ReplyDeleteRIP old timer!
ReplyDeleteIn recognition of Arthur (Art) Goetz's Honorable Service in the United States Marine Corps, the members of the SSgt Walter F. 'Trae' Cohee III Detachment # 115, Salisbury, MD of the Marine Corps League would like to extend our appreciation and gratitude for his service to God, Country and Corps as well as our sincere condolences to his family.
ReplyDeleteSEMPER FIDELIS
Don Elseroad
Staff Sergeant USMC (Ret)
MCL Detachment # 115
Semper Fi and Rest in Peace, Mr. Goetz from another Marine Mom. Please watch over my son.
ReplyDeleteSEMPER FIDELIS! A Snapped Off/ Sharp Salute to a Wondeful Man, a Dedicated Father, a loyal Husband, and always, always a MARINE!
ReplyDeleteMr. Goetz was an amazing man, progressive in his prime while still holding dear the values of personal responsibility, honesty and community.
ReplyDeleteTo me, he represented the best of Salisbury, long since gone thanks to the sellout of the city to a privileged few. It must have broken his heart in later years to see it.
Mr. Goetz, thank you for all you gave to your country, your community and your family.
My sympathy goes out to you and your family Joe. He was a good man.
ReplyDeleteFire Greg Bassett now -- first, publishing an incorrect date for the upcoming election, then those ridiculous endorsements for the Wicomico County Council and now this screw up.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it the Funeral Homes policy to give an obituary announcement to a newspaper, not the family's? I do not think newspapers even publish an obituary 10 days in advance, so perhaps the family giving the obituary to the newspaper so far in advance was the reason for the mix up. Why would the family even want to place an obituary in the newspaper 10 days before the service.
ReplyDeleteanonymous 5:24, the obituary WAS written in whole by Holloway Funeral Home. The DT's removed the DATE. It had nothing to do with the family.
ReplyDelete4:25pm Why Greg Bassett? My understanding is it is Eric Sahler who is running that paper. Put the blame where the blame belongs.
ReplyDeleteIn my experience, only the best of Marines attain the rank of Chief Warrant Officer, as did Art Goetz.
ReplyDeleteAs the Marine's Hymn says, " if the Army and the Navy ever look on heaven's scenes, they will find the streets are guarded by United States Marines ".
Rest in peace, and Semper Fi, Gunner Goetz.
Lee Clarke, USMC, Vietnam 1967-69.
And the day before Veterans Day. R.I.P. Mr. Goetz!
ReplyDeleteIt was my honor to know Art and serve with him in Rotary.
ReplyDeleteDoug Marshall
My condolences to your family.Obviously Mr. Art touched alot of lives and will be missed by many.
ReplyDelete