Robert “Bob” Goetz

Bob died peacefully Friday morning, Feb. 19, at a local retirement home.

Bob was born in York, Penn., and attended Susquehanna University and Temple Medical School.

He married his wife Doris in 1952. After a few years in the Navy as a flight surgeon, they moved to Oak Harbor in 1959. He started his private practice as a general family physician at Whidbey Medical Clinic and served the community for over 35 years.

He enjoyed camping and extensive boating with his family, including multiple trips to Canada and the Inside Passage to Alaska.

In retirement, Bob stayed very active; he taught U.S. Power Squadron boating courses in advanced navigation, helped skipper an ocean-going tug through the Panama Canal and in northern Alaska, picked apples for food banks and enjoyed cutting firewood for himself, family and former patients.

Survivors include his son, Paul Goetz (wife, Kathy), of Bremerton; daughters, Cindy Goetz, of Oak Harbor, and Susan Terry (husband, Dave), of Spokane; and five grown grandchildren.

Bob was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Doris Goetz (2008) and granddaughters Jenica Goetz (1993) and Sara Goetz (2010).

Bob’s memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, March 19, at First United Methodist Church.

Donations may be made to the USMC Toys for Tots — a program Bob was actively involved in for many years.