April
27, 1923 - Aug. 19, 2010SOUTH BEND - Robert P. "Bob" "Kel-C" Goetz, 87, of South Bend, IN went to be with the love of his life, his wife, Frances at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, August 19, 2010 in his home, surrounded by family. He was born on April 27, 1923 in Mishawaka, IN to Hal and Mary (Kiefer) Goetz. He is survived by his daughter, Eileen (Joseph) Sniadecki of Carmel, IN and Kathleen (Brent) Jagla of South Bend, IN; grandchildren, Matthew (Patricia) Sniadecki, Mark (Tara) Sniadecki, Michael (Laura) Sniadecki, and Stephen Jagla. He is also survived by his sister, Louise (Francis) Ritter of San Ramon, CA; great- grandchildren, Madeline, Bailey, Isaac and Willem; and many loving cousins, nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his wife, Frances "Irish" (Snyder) Goetz on January 18, 1986. Bob attended the University of Notre Dame his freshman year, where he played football (or as he said, was a human tackling dummy) under Coach Frank Leahy. He transferred to Manchester College, where he played baseball and became a campus legend for a prank he played involving a cow in the Administration Building. Kel-C was a veteran of the United States Army in World War II where he saw extensive action on the baseball field. After discharge, he became Supervisor of Pipefitters at Bendix Corporation in South Bend. After retiring from that position, he and Tom Herrman, founded the mechanical and electrical contracting firm, Herrman & Goetz, (H&G) where he continued to work until the time of his passing. Bob was known for his generosity toward local schools, churches and athletic programs. He also enjoyed coaching and supporting women's fast pitch softball teams, several of which won state championships. He enjoyed following all local teams, no matter the sport; the "Loveable Losers", the Chicago Cubs; and never failed to give his opinion about Notre Dame. He was active his entire life at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in Lakeville, IN which his father helped build and where he was the first altar boy. We take joy in the words of St. Francis of Assisi, "...it is in dying that we are born to eternal life." A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Monday, August 23, 2010 in Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, 63568 U.S. 31 S., Lakeville, IN. Military graveside services will follow in Southlawn Cemetery, South Bend. The family will welcome friends from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 22, 2010 in the Palmer Funeral Home-Guisinger Chapel, 3718 S. Michigan St., South Bend, where a rosary will be said at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Center for Hospice Care, 111 Sunnybrook Ct. South Bend, IN 46637 or to Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, 63568 U.S. 31 S. Lakeville, IN 46536. Online condolences may be sent to www.palmerfuneralhomes.com