Herman Pat Goeters

Herman Pat Goeters, 64, of Opelika, Alabama, retired professor of mathematics at Auburn University, died Monday, December 30, 2019, at Hermann Memorial Hospital, of multiple organ failure arising from infection and complications from chronic liver disease. He was born October 31, 1955 in Houston, Texas, the first child of Herman and Georgia Goeters.  He spent his younger years there, later moving to Connecticut with his family.  As he came of age, he spent a short time in Florida before returning to Connecticut, where he received his B.A. in mathematics from Southern Connecticut University, and an M.S. and Ph.D. in mathematics from The University of Connecticut.  Most of his career, from 1997 until his retirement, was spent at Auburn University, where he taught and published numerous papers in the areas of abstract algebra and actuarial math.  A devoted husband, father, brother, and son, he believed strongly in the importance of family. Beyond this, he had a fervent passion for music, having played guitar since his childhood.  He spent his spare hours as a musician, a casual sportsman, a world traveler, and an avid fan of movies and television. Compassionate beyond words, he gave of himself to see that those around him would flourish, and he held those people together with a pure, magnetic love.

Pat is survived by his wife, Charlene, his siblings, Frederick, Carroll, Edward, Berenice, and Burton, his father, Pat Sr., his step mother, Jackie, his half-brother, Ben, and his son, Geoffrey, whom he shared with his first wife, Kristin.  A memorial service will be held at 2pm on Saturday, January 11 in his home at 1900 Hanson Court, Opelika, AL 36801.  Memorials may be made to the charity of your choice.