Royal D. Goerz

Royal Don Goerz (Roy) was born in Marion, SD on February 4, 1936. He passed away on November 14, 2023. He attended Marion grade school and high school. After high school he attended South Dakota State College where he obtained a BS and MS degree.

After college he attended the University of South Dakota Medical School where he met his future wife, Ann, who was also a medical student. They were married a year later in 1963. After two years at South Dakota Medical School, he transferred to Tulane University Medical School in New Orleans. After obtaining his M.D. degree he completed one year of a rotating internship and one year as a general medical officer at the U.S. Public Health Hospital in New Orleans. He then did his OB-GYN residency at the same hospital.

While in New Orleans, Ann and Roy adopted two sons, David Charles and Stephen Douglass. After completing his residency in OB-GYN they left New Orleans for Shiprock, NM on the Navajo Reservation, where Roy served as obstetrician-gynecologist for four years at the US Public Health Service Hospital. While there, they adopted two daughters, Rebecca Lynn and Deborah Sue. After four years there, they moved to Independence, MO where Roy served three years with an OB-GYN group of doctors.

After retirement, Roy went on a number of medical mission trips to various parts of the world. He enjoyed working on their hobby farm raising cattle. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening, photography, reading and Bible study.

He is survived by his wife, Ann, and their 4 children, David Goerz of Leawood, KS, Stephen Goerz of Pawley’s Island, SC, Rebecca Estep of Independence, MO, and Deborah Thiemer, of Independence, MO.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.nolandroadchapel.com for the Goerz family.