Gordon Goetemann

Gordon Goetemann, 83

St. Joseph, MN

St. Louis, MO

April 24, 1933 - Sept 29, 2016

Educator, Painter, Rocky Neck Art Colony Community Activist, died peacefully at home in Gloucester, Mass. on Sept. 29.

Born and raised in St. Louis, MO., Gordon earned his BFA at Notre Dame University and his MFA at the University of Iowa.  In 1953 he fell in love with his wife, fellow artist and partner of 58 years, Judith Steele Goetemann. Together they raised 4 children, Elizabeth, David, Mark and Chris.

Gordon and Judy spent their summers in Gloucester, Mass., where they ran their art gallery and dedicated their energies to strengthening the Rocky Neck Art Colony.  Accomplishments shared with others are the creation of the SeArts program, the Rocky Neck Cultural Center and the Artist in Residency program, renamed in Gordon's honor in 2010.

Gordon was most fulfilled by his 40 year teaching career at the College of St. Benedicts and St. Johns University, working along side many dear friends and colleagues. 

Former students would often recall that they had signed up for an easy course titled "painting", then got bowled over by "the toughest class they ever loved".  

Gordon taught by example, challenging his students to live an "examined life", to question and define their values, often within the context of their religious precepts, then create their artwork based upon what they had learned. 

Of his art, he told Art New England in 2014:

"I always see myself as a synthesizer of the past, working to keep it vital in terms of contemporary culture," he explained. "My expertise is in the history of the visual form.

"There is no experience anywhere else that is like it. Love would be the closest comparison…it gives me a reason for living."

In addition to his wife, Judith Steele Goetemann, he is survived by his four children, Elizabeth Scholes and husband Garrett of Kittery Point, ME., David Goetemann of Gloucester,  Mark Goetemann of Lincoln,  Chris Goetemann of Gloucester; grandchildren Ava and William Scholes, Owen Goetemann, Theo and Adelle Goetemann; and his brother Gerald Goetemann of Parkersburg, W.V.

Visiting hours will be held Friday, October 7, from 4 to 7 pm at the Greely Funeral Home, 212 Washington Street, Gloucester, MA, 01930

A private family service will follow at the Greely Funeral Home on Saturday morning at 10:00.

A celebration of Gordon's life gathering will take place at the Rocky Neck Cultural Center at a future date.

Contributions may be made in his memory to the Rocky Neck Cultural Center to support the Goetemann Artist Residency Program.  http://rockyneckartcolony.org/cultural-center/

For online condolences, please visit greelyfuneralhome.com