Roger's warmth, grace, strength and generosity were a rare combination among the classmates I met when I arrived in New Haven in 1961. We swam together on the Freshman relay team, clueless that we would eventually sail the same waters, practice the same medicine, and be blessed with amazing families. That he is gone seems just so wrong, given his timeless gifts to his patients, friends, community and his family. WE hold him and them so dear...

To Rosemary and your whole family, 
What an amazing, wonderful, generous person Roger was, and how much he gave to all who had the good luck to know him!  His way of modeling a thoughtful, imaginative, compassionate, and clear-sighted response to others has transformed my own life, and I am certain many others' lives as well.  I'm sure you feel his loss profoundly, and I wish you as much comfort as possible, now and always.  
In honor of Roger,
and wishing you peace and joy in his memory,

Roger--his openness, his shyness mixed with smiles, his friendly goofiness, disarmed and dispensed with "I'm having a bad day." And then some. He moved mountains, quietly. My best wishes to his family and friends, who knew so well this very human being.   

Dr. John R. Leo 
Yale 1965, Berkeley College

I am so sad to hear of the loss of this extraordinary human being. Love to Rosemary and "the three girls,"
Linda Berkowitz

Roger will always remain a fond, bright spot in the memory of all of us who had the good fortune of getting to know him. I extend my sincerest sympathies and condolences to his wonderful family. My heart goes out to you.

we are so lucky.

 he was a pal and a professional super star. giving loving caring...whether we get together tomorrow or next year or in the life ever after.

grateful i am

some fotos

To The Goettsche Family and friends,
The wonderful human spirit  Dr. Goettsche shared lives on in everything we do.Each time you feel the wind at sail,you smell the early morning ocean,each time you use the ten second rule created from the girls research,each memory of the silly challenging ways he made us think about what we do or when walk along Commerce and that moment that occurs when you  get that sense that he is near, each time you recall that  enthusatic optimistic positive smile, just pause........ and enjoy the opportunity  he created for you to carry on what he wanted you to do.His "extraordinarily generous spirit, love of life, and strength of constitution and character" is alive and well in all who knew him  here in Clinton and Roger  will be missed by the entire Clinton community.He is alive in us all because of his momentary shared experiences.Thats what he wanted.
Condolences to you all.
A Friend

We were so sad to hear about your husband. Our prayers and thoughts are with all of you.  
The Parsons....Cuttyhunk

I am very sorry to learn of Roger's death. I had many interesting conversations with him about swimming when the girls swam at HK. He filled me in on one of his good friends and New Trier HS teammates, Sandy Van Kennen--the NCAA champion swimmer and best swimmer ever at Wesleyan. Great guy--what a loss. My sympathies to his family.

Dear Mrs. Goettsche and family,

Since I live in the Western Pacific, I just received word of Roger's passing, and I wanted to add my condolences along with the many others.  I swam with Roger at New Trier, and saw him often when he was in college at Yale. Regretably, I didn't get to see him much thereafter other than at a couple of New Trier reunions, but I have a wealth of fond memories of our time together at New Trier.  

My prayers are with you and your family. 

Fred Schmidt

Kate, Molly, Emily and Rosemary 
I was so saddened by hearing of your fathers/ husbands passing. He was such a nice person and Knowing his daughters he was a wonderful father. It is a loss to the world that he was taken so early but a greater loss to your family. HE will live on in everyone's memories.

I want to offer my sincere condolences on the loss of your husband. My Thoughts are with you and your family.

- Rick Decker

My deepest condolences to all the Goettsche family.  Phyllis Cohen Gladstein

Dear Rosemary,E, M and K.   Sue and I are greatly saddened to learn of Roger's passing. It's a loss we share with you and will miss him a lot.  Fair winds to him.    Dick and Sue.(Arundel).

Dear Rosemary, Emily, Martha and Katie:  I was saddened to learn of Rogers passing. We all here at Lanikai will miss him dearly. Roger and I used to swap sailing yarns and sea stories. He was a grand guy and my thoughts are with you all.

      Fondly, 
                 Larry

My sympathies to you and your girls at this very sad time.

Rosemary
I am saddended to hear of Roger's passing. I have many fond memories of the many musical connections we shared and seeing you guys at the many band rehearsals in your Clinton home. My prayers are with you and your family                                                                
                                                                     Jim Shepley Ct

Dear Rosemary,
  I'm so very sorry to hear of the loss of your husband .  My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
                     Love,
                           Laura Decker Boyle

the New Trier Swimming Organization mourns Roger's passing. 
D.H. Robertson
D.H. Robertson, Jr.

Roger was (and still is) a truly wonderful soul. He once turned an afternoon at Stinson Beach with Chuck and Jake Thompson into one of the happiest times of my life.

We're going to miss Roger. He was the best darn back up drummer the Dusters ever had the honor to play with.He was always fun to be with and he had a stabilizing influence on us all.Hopefully we will get the chance to play together again.

The Elm City Dusters

All of us at the clinton post office will be praying for Roger and his family. We are thinking and praying for you rose, lets us know if you need anything. Sheldon

Rosemary, Katie, Molly and Emily,
I was saddened to see the news about Roger in the paper. I have many great memories of him and the girls at the pool. He loved the water and his family. My condolences to all of you.

OBITUARY

Roger Lyman Goettsche MD

23 February, 1943 – 1 January, 2013

Swan Funeral Home

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