WALTER GOETZ

GOETZ WALTER ANTHONY GOETZ Walter Anthony Goetz, 79, of Bethesda, MD, went to be with his Lord and Savior early Monday morning, December 19, 2016, following a two and a half year battle with recurring cancer. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Myrtle Ann (Hendee) Goetz; his three daughters and son-in-law, Kathryn Ann Bodine and Thomas Jay Bodine, Karen Elizabeth Paul and Michelle Amy Reed; his six grandchildren, Russell James Bodine, Amy Kathryn Bodine, Nicole Marie Paul, Madeline Elaine Reed, Paul Dylan Reed and Chloe Michelle Reed. After obtaining a Batchelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Michigan State University, Walt served two years as a Lieutenant in the United States Army including 16 months in Korea. Following his military service, Walt spent eight years working in the field of aerospace propulsion engineering. He received many commendations from The Boeing Company and NASA, especially for his part in achieving man's first landing on the moon. Walt then worked 37 years in the Center for Devices and Radiological Health at the Food and Drug Administration in Rockville, Maryland, and received the Career Distinguished Service Award from FDA. While at FDA, Walt earned a Master of Science Degree in Engineering Administration from George Washington University. For GWU, he designed a course in Engineering Contracting, wrote the Textbook, and taught the contracting course for 37 years, concurrent with his career at FDA. Walt was also a gold mine historian by avocation, researched and accumulated the largest collection of gold mining documentation for Montgomery County, Maryland, and is the author of three books on gold mining in the DC area: Maryland Gold Fever, Montgomery Gold Fever, Fairfax (VA) Gold Fever. He was an avid collector of mining artifacts, local gold mining history and, with his wife, enjoyed traveling to collect artifacts and sell pieces of his collections. Walt and his wife, Myrt, were avid world travelers and enjoyed sharing their passion for travel with their children and grandchildren. Walt will be remembered most for his unconditional love of and dedication to his family. He left his earthly life with confidence that he would enjoy eternal life in the presence of Almighty God. A Celebration of his Life will be held on Tuesday, December 27 at 10:30 a.m. at McLean Bible Church in the Smith Center, 8925 Leesburg Pike, Vienna, VA 22182. Please park on the lower level of the parking garage and enter through door 2B. A reception hosted by the family will be held following the celebration. Burial will be held at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, DC, at a later date. A Celebration of his Life will be held on Tuesday, December 27 at 10:30 a.m. at McLean Bible Church in the Smith Center, 8925 Leesburg Pike, Vienna, VA 22182. Please park on the lower level of the parking garage and enter through door 2B. A reception hosted by the family will be held following the celebration. Burial will be held at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, DC, at a later date.