Robert J. Goettel

CAPE ELIZABETH – Robert J. Goettel, former Executive Assistant to the President and Director of Sponsored Research at the University of Southern Maine died after a long and distinguished life on May 7, 2024, at the age of 90. A loving husband, father and grandfather, educator and musician, he will be greatly missed by all who loved him.

Bob was born in 1933 to Marguerite and Paul Goettel of Rochester, N.Y. He studied clarinet at the preparatory division of Eastman School of Music and later graduated from SUNY Fredonia Teachers College with a degree in Music Education, where he met his future wife of 69 years, Tish. He then served in the U.S. Army as a Master Sergeant in the West Point Band, with whom he performed for the presidential inauguration of Eisenhower and the Canadian visitation of Queen Elizabeth, among other duties. While in the Army he began his studies at Teachers College of Columbia University as he and Tish raised three children, living in New Canaan, Conn., and Pearl River, N.Y., where he was a Junior/Senior High School Band and Orchestra teacher and Middle School Vice Principal, respectively. He also served in several churches as a choir director in partnership with Tish as organist. The two performed together in local chamber music concerts on clarinet and piano, as well. After completion of as a choir director in partnership with Tish as organist. The two performed together in local chamber music concerts on clarinet and piano, as well. After completion of his Ed.D. in 1970, the family moved to Syracuse, N.Y., where Bob was the Director of Educational Finance and Governance Center at Syracuse University Research Corporation. As such, he was the Project Director for the National Institute of Education of a congressionally mandated national study of the administration of Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. His research with the Brookings Institute and preparation for the Fleischmann Commission in collaboration with Walter Mondale led to the publication of several books and articles he co-authored on ‘Financing Equal Education.’ Dr. Goettel was an Associate Professor and Director of the Institute for Educational Policy Research at SUNY Albany and Director of the Education Research Center at NTS Research Corporation in Durham, N.C., prior to moving to Cape Elizabeth in 1982. He was Director of the Center for Research and Advanced Study and a Professor of Public Policy and Management while performing at his position as Executive Assistant to the President at USM. In retirement, Bob was very active with the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute on the planning board and teaching classes on politics and public policy since 2008. Bob thoroughly enjoyed singing as a member of the ChoralArt Singers for over 25 years. He participated yearly in the ALA Bike Trek Across Maine, was a loyal Mets and Giants fan, and sighed about his lack of golfing expertise at the Purpoodock Club. In the last decade he could often be found with his Grandson, Jack, watching his favorite sports teams or at their scheduled weekly lunches.

Bob leaves behind his wife, Tish; daughter, Tish Anne (Sandra) Kilgore; son, Stan (Nadia) Goettel; son, Bill Goettel and grandson Jack; granddaughters, Meghan and Erin, six great-grandchildren, three stepgrandchildren and two stepgreat-grandchildren.

Relatives, friends and colleagues are invited to join the family in a celebration of Bob’ life on Saturday, June 8 at 11 a.m., at The Methodist Church in Cape Elizabeth, at 280 Ocean House Road.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Gosnell Memorial Hospice House in

Scarborough, Maine.

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