Dr. John T. Goswitz, age 89, a resident of Manitowoc, entered eternal life on Thursday, May 11, 2023 at Aurora Medical Center in Two Rivers.
John was born on May 16, 1933 in St. Paul, MN to the late Dr. Francis A. Goswitz I and Agnes M. (First) Goswitz. After graduating from St. Mark’s Elementary School in St. Paul, MN, John went on to attend Cretin High School, a military and Catholic high school, from where he graduated third in his class in 1951. He was a member of the National Honor Society, President of the Chemistry Club, and was a Leadership Club Representative and a consistent Merit Medal Winner. John played baseball and basketball, earning letters in both sports for four years. He was Captain of the basketball team in his senior year and President of his senior class. John was a premedical student at Marquette University from 1951 to 1954. In September of 1954, he began medical school at the Medical College of Wisconsin from where he graduated in 1958. From 1958 to 1963, he attended The Ohio State University for his surgical internship and residency. In 1963, John served his country in the United States Army in Germany during the Vietnam War providing medical care for the wounded. He was honorably discharged in 1965. Upon his return, in July of 1966, John joined Park Medical Center in Manitowoc as a General Surgeon. His partners at the time were Dr. Nathan Davis, Dr. Norman Schroeder, and Dr. Lynn Holder. In 1999, he retired from surgery, but continued office practice until 2004 as an employee of Aurora Health Care. John expressed time and again that he loved being a surgeon. It was the only job he ever wanted because he loved helping people. On December 12, 1980, John married Kay Petersen at Sacred Heart Catholic Church by Rev. William Zimmer. He was a member of Fellow American College of Surgeons, Sacred Heart Parish where he played piano and organ, and St. Francis of Assisi Parish. John and Kay enjoyed their trips that included Washington DC, London, Paris, Mt. Rushmore, Atlanta, San Francisco, and Hawaii, but their favorite was to Italy. He also liked playing piano, reading and studying history, a martini on Saturday nights, working in his yard and garden, and cutting wood for his fireplace that he collected with his farm tractor. He loved music, especially classical, jazz, blues, and even obtained a music degree later in life. John was an avid fan of the Brewers, Packers, and The Ohio State basketball and football teams. He was incredibly proud of his academic accomplishments and his military service. Above all, John enjoyed spending time with his family and friends – especially his grandchildren.
Survivors include John’s wife of 42 years, Kay; four children, Katie (Eric) Petersen, Cedarburg; Paul Goswitz, Manitowoc; Anne (Dwayne Austin) Douglas, Austin, TX; and Mark (Kathy Currie) Goswitz, Sheboygan; four grandchildren, Khloe and Jack Petersen, Cedarburg; Sandra Douglas and her fiancé, Chase McAnally, Austin, TX; and Nicole Douglas, and her significant other, Brock Williams, New Braunfels, TX; brother and sister-in-law, Dr. Francis A. Goswitz II and Dr. Helen V. Goswitz, Oak Ridge, TN; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Michael Petersen, Manitowoc; Chris (Patrice) Petersen, Colorado Springs, CO; Ken (Mary) Petersen, Manitowoc; and Keith (Brenda) Petersen, Manitowoc; also other relatives and friends. John was preceded in death by his father and mother, Dr. Francis Goswitz I and Agnes Goswitz; brother, Robert F. Goswitz; sister, Adelaide Lewis; and father-in-law and mother-in-law, Vinton “Pete” B. and Marjorie L. Petersen.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, May 22, 2023 at St. Francis of Assisi on Grand, 1416 Grand Avenue, Manitowoc. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Rev. Jason Blahnik with burial to follow at Evergreen Cemetery. Military rites will be accorded by Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 731. The family will greet relatives and friends at the Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home on Sunday, May 21, 2023 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. A prayer service will be led by Deacon Rich Bahnaman at 5 p.m. to conclude the visitation. The visitation will continue on Monday, May 22, 2023 at St. Francis of Assisi on Grand from 9 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.harriganparksidefuneralhome.com
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate memorials in John’s name which will be used to benefit organizations that were important to him.
John’s family would like to extend their thanks and appreciation to his caregivers – especially Kat, Sue, Karen, Jennifer, Sheila, and Katy. Also, special thanks to the nursing staff at Aurora Medical Center for all of the care they provided to John.
The Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home and Crematory, North 11th and St. Clair streets, Manitowoc is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.
