Robert Goettsch
After a five-year battle with cancer, Robert (Bob) Goettsch, aged 80, passed away peacefully at home on July 24, 2024, in Lexington, S.C., in the presence of his family. Services will be held Wednesday, July 31, at The Runge Mortuary & Crematory, located at 838 East Kimberly Road, Davenport, IA 52807. A visitation service will begin at 12 p.m., followed by a memorial service at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make memorials in Bob’s name to the American Cancer Society https://raiseyourway.donordrive.com/campaign/Bob-Goettsch-Memorial-Gift.
Born on June 11, 1944, in Davenport, to Harry and Lucile (Moeller) Goettsch, he was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. Bob was known for his incredible work ethic, optimistic nature and true “dad” sense of humor.
Bob first attended a one-room schoolhouse in Maysville, and then became part of the inaugural freshman class at North Scott High School in 1958, where he captained the football team and played baseball and basketball. After high school, Bob earned a degree in business administration from the American Institute of Commerce. He also served in the Army National Guard for three years, where he earned a Sharpshooter Badge.
In 1967, Bob married Helen Skelton. Bob and Helen went on to have three children, Bryan, Corry and Jason.
After graduation, Bob worked at ETMF Freight Systems, before taking over the family dairy farm from 1972 to 1988. The farm, Har-Lu-Ayr, presented multiple Champion Ayrshire cows at the Iowa State Fair and won Premier Exhibitor, Premier Breeder awards, as well as had several All-American cows. Bob also served a term as president of the Iowa Ayrshire Breeders Association. After farming, he worked as a field representative for Prairie Farms Dairy in Peoria, Ill., until his retirement to South Carolina in 2012.
Bob was a fanatical supporter of the Iowa Hawkeyes, attending football games for many years with friends and family, never missing a game on TV or radio and eventually earning the affectionate title of “Hawkeye Grandpa.” His love for his team was only surpassed by his love for his family
He is survived by: wife Helen Goettsch; children, Bryan (Yolanda) Goettsch, Corry (Shawn) Bennett and Jason (Beth Kowski) Goettsch; siblings Larry Goettsch and Pat Shreffler; grandchildren Aidan, Lucy, Ty, Amelia, Ben, Keaton and Anya.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Harry P. Goettsch and Lucile H. Goettsch; sister-in-law Doralynn Goettsch and brother-in-law Ron Shreffler.
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