CWU Remembers Dr. Donald Goetschius

December 8, 2004

Contact: Lowell Murphree (509-963-2169/fax 509-963-2301/e-mail: murphrlo@cwu.edu)

ELLENSBURG, Wash. - Dr. Donald Glenn Goetschius, Central Washington University emeritus professor of education, passed away Nov. 27 in Ellensburg.

Goetschius, 93, was born June 21, 1915 in Marathon, Iowa. The son of Charles and Bessie (Rogers) Goetschius, he spent his formative years on the family farm. After deciding that he was not suited for farming, he attended Marathon College in Sioux City, Iowa, graduating in 1928 with a baccalaureate degree in psychology and allied education.

Goetschius went on to earn a master of arts in education degree from the University of Iowa, in 1942, and his Ph.D. in education, with emphases in public school administration and guidance, from the University of Wyoming in 1956. He began a 23-year career with the CWU faculty the following year, teaching in the areas of secondary education and school administration and serving graduate admissions coordinator for the department of education.

He was also well known for his public service and church-related activities.

His life was always centered on the education of children and of young adults, according to his daughter Cynthia Pederson. His dedication to the teaching profession was passed along to his five children, all of whom also became teachers.

"He was a father and grandfather, a light-hearted man always ready with a joke and a smile," Pederson says. "He touched the lives of so many and inspired us all. He will be sorely missed."

Preceding Goetschius in death was his first wife Virginia (Allen) Goetschius. He is survived by his second wife Lois (Lasiter Osborne) Goetschius; his son Don Allen and wife Patty of Vancouver, Wash., and his four daughters, Dianne Earnest and husband John, Cynthia Pederson and husband Harold, Connie Mitchell and husband Craig and Celeste Larson and husband Bud.