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Goering, Oswald H. (1923-2008)
Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 2008 Feb 18 p. 7
Birth date: 1923 Jun 19
By Mennonite Weekly Review staff
MOUNDRIDGE, Kan. — Oswald H. "Ozzie" Goering, a former Bethel College professor of physical education and director of Kauffman Museum, died Fe. 1 at The Cedars. He was 84.
Goering served in several roles at Bethel in the late 1950s, late 1970s and early '80s.
From 1954 to 1959, he was dean of men, director of recreation and a professor of physical education.
From Bethel he went to Northern Illinois University, where he was a professor of outdoor teacher education for 20 years. Returning to Bethel in 1979, he served as a professor of health, physical education and recreation until 1983.
Later he was director of the Peace Lecture series, 1984-88, and adjunct professor of peace studies, 1984-85.
Goering had a long association with Bethel's Kauffman Museum, serving as its director from 1979 to 1983 and as a member of the board of directors from 1982 to 1990 and from 2002 to 2008.
A 1949 Bethel graduate, he earned a doctorate from Indiana University.
He was born June 19, 1923, in Moundridge to Henry J. and Mary J. (Kauffman) Goering.
During World War II he worked with Civilian Public Service in South Dakota, Florida and Puerto Rico.
He married Elaine L. Wedel on May 25, 1947, in North Newton. She survives.
They served with Mennonite Central Committee in Paraguary [sic Paraguay], assisting the resettlement of war refugees, from 1949 to 1951.
An enthusiastic supporter of Heifer International, Goering developed 13 Heifer Projects around the world — in Uganda, Ukraine, Romania, Poland, the Dominican Republic, Vietnam and Thailand, with the help of family, friends and fellow members of the Rotary service club.
Survivors, in addition to his wife, include two daughters, Kathryn Goering Reid and her husband, Stephen, of Richmond, Ind., and Patricia Goering, Alba and her husband, Joseph, of Gainesville, Fla.; two sisters, Ada Goering of Neodesha and Kathryn News of Drexell, Pa.; and six grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Ellis and Ralph; and a sister, Martha Ford.
Services were held at Bethel College Mennonite Church, where he was a member. Burial was at Eden Mennonite Church Cemetery in Moundridge.
