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HARRY MAX GOERN
1934 - 2014
HARRY MAX GOERN
1934 - 2014
Obituary
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HARRY GOERN Obituary
A former officer of Alcoa, died on Wednesday, October 15, 2014, in Pittsburgh, PA. He was 80 years old. The cause of death was cancer, which he survived over a long period of time. Harry joined Alcoa in 1958 at the Davenport (Iowa) Works. Harry was recognized for creating efficiency gains in forecasting and economic modeling by applying newly emerging computer software. In 1979, the Alcoa board of directors, headed by Mr. W. R. Chrome George, appointed him to the newly created position of vice president of corporate planning. Throughout his entire career Harry served the people of Alcoa in Pittsburgh as an international bridge by building, maintaining and expanding relationships in Europe, the Middle East, Latin America, and Australia. Harry was born in Chicago, IL on September 15, 1934, to Mr. Max and Elsie Goern. Mr. Goern, a native of Chicago, IL, graduated in 1956 from the University of Illinois, with a bachelor's degree in accounting and economics. He was president of the Delta Phi Fraternity and served in R.O.T.C. He was called into active duty as an Army sergeant during the Berlin Crisis. Harry was deeply and passionately involved in charity and civic work. He first began devoting his time and energy to charity work in Pittsburgh, commencing with Big Brothers in 1972, an organization with which he maintained a special relationship throughout his life. He continued serving a number of charities after his retirement and during his extended illness. He served as vice chairman and board member of the Pittsburgh Mercy Health System board of directors. Harry was an avid skier, wine enthusiast, and traveler with his family and friends. Harry is survived by his spouse, Camille Farnum Goern, whom he married in 1960; his younger brother, Roy Goern (Nancy) of Las Vegas, NV; daughter, Gillian Lee Goern (Roark) of Chicago; and son, Adam Gregory Goern (Jessica) of Hong Kong; and all of their five grandchildren. A celebration of life gathering will be held at the Duquesne Club, Saturday, October 25, 2014, from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. for friends and family. Memorial contributions, in lieu of flowers, may be made to the charity of your choice or Mercy Behavioral Health.
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Rod Wallace
October 14, 2019
Harry was a joy to be around Delta Phi. One night the sound of the Victory at Sea by Richard Rogers blasted the quiet. Going to the room I saw the pull down study light swinging back and forth. Running from one side of the room to the other in time with the lamp was Harry and others while the music played the Storm scene in the Pacific during WWII.
Then there was the time Harry exchanged cannon fire with the Granada house across the drive with Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture with full cannons.
Miss him!
Kenneth Eshak
November 19, 2014
Anka and I were deeply saddened to learn of Harry's passing. I shall remember Harry as a true and special gentleman. He was an exemplary leader, always focused, determined and ever humble. Imagine giving so much to others and never once speaking of self and his personal challenges. God speed Mr. Chairman.
Sherri Schuetz
November 5, 2014
I met Harry at our Bladder Cancer support group. We had a meeting tonight and heard the news of his passing. We all took a collective moment to remember him and the impact he had on the group. He was a wonderful man. My thoughts and prayers are with your family.
October 30, 2014
Camille,
I always loved seeing you and Harry at the 20th Century Club. Aside from being a most attractive couple, you were both such nice people. I am so sad for you and mourn his passing. Someone recently told me you had resigned from the 20th and moved. It's obviously been a bad year. Please know I am thinking of you. Losing a spouse changes your life forever. IT is ten years next month since my dear Kenneth passed away and I think of him every day. The pain subsides but the memories never do.
Fondly, Kay Neuhausen.
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Ned Snow
October 29, 2014
Harry was a truly great man. I was lucky to know him. I wish we'd overlapped a little longer at Delta Phi but at least he went to work near where I grew up. Cancer messes up a family. Stay strong and pull together like Harry would do.
- - Ned Snow
October 25, 2014
I met Harry early on when he was in AMIS. It was evident then that Harry was destined for bigger things with ALCOA. Harry never forgot his roots. He was also a friend of Nick Grothaus and invited us to your home in Ben Avon Heights.. May God grant you peace during this time. Dick Wehling
Jean O'Neil DeSabato
October 23, 2014
My first meeting of a young Harry was when his Newfoundland Retriever, Ceaser, bounded across the street where we had just moved in, to give the new kid a big old lick. Harry was a great neighbor to my parents and I enjoyed babysitting for Harry and Camille's children for many of the years they lived in Moon. It is sad to have lost touch over the years and extremely heartbreaking for his family and friends to lose such a wonderful and fun guy. My sympathy to Camille, Adam and Gillian and their families.
October 23, 2014
Harry and Camille were a blessing to one another for many years. They shared their blessings with the Pittsburgh Sisters of Mercy and Harry strengthened the ministries of the Sisters of Mercy through his presence on our boards. He then reached out to our employees and shared his knowledge and integrity with many of our employees. All of us will be forever grateful to Harry and Camille.
Sister Patricia Mary Hespelein, RSM
October 22, 2014
So sad to hear about Harry. We were roommates at Delta Phi during his senior year. We shared a lot of laughs. He was a good friend, always warmhearted and generous. I'm sorry he won't be arranging any more gettogethers at the U of I. He was a gem.
Don Garland
October 22, 2014
Harry was the one who organized our Tau of Delta Phi reunions at the U of I. We had many good conversations at those times. Once I was able to get together for dinner with Harry in D.C. where he spoke at a conference. Always was great to be with him. We both needed a freshman Statistic course our senior year and got the top 2 grades out of about 300 students. Thanks to a bonus 10 point question on the final Harry got a 110 and I got a 108 and the next highest was a 90. He was always a bright guy.
October 22, 2014
Camille; so very sad seeing this in the paper today. May your wonderful memories of Harry carry you through this sorrowful time. Bless you and your family. Kathleen and Mike Zimbicki
October 22, 2014
Iris & I knew Harry from Delta Phi days at the U of IL and always thought highly of him. Harry also organized several Illinois homecoming get togethers for Delta Phi brothers and their spouses. He will missed by many people.
October 22, 2014
God speed Harry.
It was an honor and privilege to know and live with you at ?F for 4 years.
Rod Wallace
Malvern Powell
October 21, 2014
Harry was my role model as to how to be a successful Executive Service Corps consultant. While I never could measure up to his achievements, he inspired me to strive for the very best. He was a fine man---a gentleman in the truest sense of the word. It was a privilege to know him as a colleague and consider him my friend. I am a better person for having been given that opportunity. The Pittsburgh non-profit community and ESC have lost a real treasure.
October 21, 2014
Harry was a professional of the first magnitude. I always was delighted when he the came to Arkansas.
T. Wesley Dodson
C.P.M.
Russ Yester
October 21, 2014
I had the great pleasure of knowing and working for Harry during my time in the Alcoa Procurement Group in 2 different locations. I will remember him as fair, honest, very intelligent and truly concerned about the people that worked for him. Harry, you will be sorely missed by folks far and wide.
Larry Trondle
October 21, 2014
Adam- I just found out about your Dad's passing today from some fellow Avonworth classmates. I was deeply saddened by the news and couldn't help thinking about how you, your mom, and your sister were coping with the loss. I just lost my father to illness last week as well and pray that you find some comfort from the many dear friends, family, and acquaintances who will surround you in the coming weeks to help you celebrate the wonderful life and memory of your dad. Thoughts and prayers to you my friend.
George Cobb
October 21, 2014
Larry was my good friend and confident. We went through some very difficult times together on issues in Europe and I will never forget his honesty. He never compromised.
Ron and Ann Kegarise
October 21, 2014
We were so sorry to see that Harry had passed on. We were roommates in our early fledgling days at Davenport It didn't take him much time to make an impact. Harry was always bright and bold and he converted the cumbersome, time consuming payroll process into a computer driven process which revolutionized the Alcoa system.We had a ton of fun together in those days. Our prayers go out to Camille and the rest of the family. He was a neat friend and has probably improved some processes in heaven by now.
Ron and Ann Kegarise
October 21, 2014
Harry was a professional of the first rank with whom I had the privilege to work for more than 15 years. He will be sorely missed by his many Alcoa colleagues. Ginny and Dick Fischer (retired Ex.VP Alcoa)
Sr. Janice Fulmer
October 20, 2014
i only met Harry a short time ago, but I was deeply touched by his dedication to promting non profits. Despite his illness Harry was willing to serve on our Board at The Community at Holy Family Manor. I am sorry not to have known Harry longer and to learn from his wisdom. I offer sympathy to Harry's family and assure them of the prayers of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth.
Yvonne Van Haitsma
October 20, 2014
We are so thankful for all the work that Harry Goern gave to the nonprofit community through the work of the Executive Service Corps. He was a dedicated volunteer & project manager.
Dick Kocerha
October 20, 2014
We were so sorry to receive this news about Harry passing. He was truly an outstanding friend and will be missed.
October 20, 2014
We will always cherish precious, happy and wonderful memories of years spent with our dear, dear friend. Peace be with you Harry.
Ron and Myrt
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