Karl Eugene "Gene" Goellner

Karl Eugene 'Gene' Goellner, 93, of Duluth, died Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2004 in the home of his son Mark. He was born Sept. 18, 1911 in Port Gibson, N.Y. He was the sixth of eight children of Anna Marie (Volz) and John Goellner, both immigrants to America. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree (1933) and Doctor of Philosophy degree (1943) in zoology at the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. He was a veteran of World War II and served in the Air Force in El Paso, Texas, where he taught atmospheric science. He taught at Luther College from 1947-1949 and at Coe College from 1949-1977. During his career Gene taught zoology, biology, embryology, omithology, icthyology and comparative anatomy among other subjects. As faculty advisor, he counseled young men and women, helping them make decisions about their lives and careers. He strove to make student athletes students first and athletes second. Gene served as the president of the Iowa Academy of Science from 1978-1979 and was awarded the Distinguished Service Award from the Iowa Academy of Sciences in 1980. On May 11, 1934, he married Ruth Godwin in Detroit, Mich. In 1949 they moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He was active in the Audubon Society, the Nature Conservancy, the Coe Athletics Committee and the Iowa Academy of Science. At Coe commencement in May, 2003 he was presented with the Distinguished Service Award for his contributions to the College. After retirement, Gene and Ruth moved to Teal Lake near Hayward, Wis. He remained a loyal Michigan alumnus. He continued his lifelong focus on environmental and ecological issues, at home and abroad. Gene and Ruth traveled extensively to such places as Siberia, Russia, Alaska, Europe, Norway, Guam, Africa, Trinidad, Mexico and the Galapagos Islands. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth; his parents; and siblings, Anna, Henry, Fred, Margaret, John, Alice and Lud. Gene is survived by his four boys, John (Annette) of Rochester, Minn., Karl A. (Mary) of Tampa, Fla., Paul (Bette Colville) of Spooner, Wis., Mark (Anita) of Duluth, Minn.; 10 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. At his request, for his last teaching assignment, his remains were bequeathed to the Medical School at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa. Memorial considerations may be forwarded to Hunt Hill Audubon Sanctuary at N2384 Hunt Hill Road, Sarona, WI 54870. Scalzo Funeral Home of Spooner, Wis., has assisted the family with necessary arrangements.