David Charles Goering, MD
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David Charles Goering, MD, 68, Lawrence, KS passed away on Tuesday April 4, 2023, at his home, under the care of Douglas County Hospice. A private service will be held with his family in McPherson, Kansas.
David was born in Newton, Kansas, grew up in Wichita, and attended McPherson High School. He went to college at the University of Florida for his freshman year. He completed his undergraduate years at the University of Kansas, graduating cum laude with a BA in Chemistry, as well as receiving PHI Beta Kappa distinction. David attended the University of Kansas School of Medicine, where he completed his residency in Internal Medicine. He was board certified in Internal Medicine and became a Fellow in the American College of Physicians.
At the time of his birth in 1954, he was diagnosed with a congenital heart condition that would shape the rest of his life. At that time, open heart surgical procedures were just being developed, and at age 5, he had a surgical repair of his heart at KU Medical Center that would allow him to survive and grow into adulthood. This became the catalyst for his decision to go to medical school and become an internist. He attended the University of Kansas School of Medicine on a scholarship with the National Health Service Corps, which required that he serve at a Federally Qualified Health Center in Waterloo, Iowa.
These experiences had an impact on his career, as he had deep compassion for the plight of the poor and uninsured persons in our country. After working ten years in Iowa and two years in Wisconsin, he and his family returned to their home state of Kansas, where he practiced in Topeka at Stormont-Vail and Cotton-O’Neil Clinic for nine years. He also volunteered at the Marian Clinic and served as Medical Director of Heartland Hospice in Topeka.
He then found his dream job when he and Dr. Charles Yockey started the LMH Hospitalist program, which radically changed the way the medical community practiced in Lawrence. During this time, he volunteered at Health Care Access Clinic, which was a safety-net clinic for the uninsured people of Douglas County. He served as Medical Director of the clinic from 2006-2013, as well as serving on the Board of Directors.
Being an advocate for the uninsured, he was a member of the Physicians for a National Health Program, and was a founding member of Kansas Health Care for All, both organizations advocated for a Single Payer National Health Insurance Program. He was a member of Governor Sebelius’ Roundtable on Healthcare Planning and Finance, representing the uninsured population.
Dr Goering retired in March 2022, and was involved in several volunteer endeavors until his sudden illness.
He is preceded in death by his brother, Dean, and is survived by his wife, Catherine, and his three children: Eric Goering of Atlanta, Ann Schwartz of Philadelphia, Joseph Goering of West Palm Beach, and a stepson, Ray Tupper of Lawrence. David leaves five grandchildren: Felix, Merryn and Stefan Goering, and Perrin and Noble Schwartz. Surviving siblings are Susan Goering of Baltimore MD, Mark Goering of Modesto CA, and Steven Goering of Norfolk VA.
The family suggests memorials in David’s name to Just Food and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.
I was honored to work with David at LMH. As one of our original hospitalists his leadership and patient advocacy shaped the tremendous patient care that we were known for. But beyond that he was simply a great fellow that “tolerated “ administrators. My respect and gratitude for all he did for our organization is tremendous. I am so sorry to hear this news and Peace to his family during these tough times.
It was a privilege to work with Dave in Topeka and Lawrence. He took excellent care of my patients on the rehab unit and always approached patients with kindness and empathy. He was truly a champion for those less fortunate. He will be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this time.
My first encounter with David was during his Internal Medicine residency at the University of Kansas. I served as his Chief Resident during his first year as an internal medicine resident and I worked with him during my cardiology fellowship at KU. I distinctly remember David as a gentle, soft spoken individual who stood out among the other residents because of his unique passion to give excellent care to every patient. He did not shy away from hard work and long hours. I had the pleasure of once again working with David as a colleague at Lawrence Memorial Hospital from 2008 to 2020. As he did in his former years in training, he stood out as a soft spoken, gentle physician that wanted to give nothing but the best care to his patients. It was a special honor for me to share patient decisions with him. He made me a better physician, and for this I will always be thankful. The physician staff at Lawrence Memorial Hospital and the Lawrence community as a whole will miss David a great deal, but his memory and professional work ethic will endure. He gave much more than he received.
My prayer is for his family to find peace during this most difficult time.
Roger J. Dreiling, M.D. FACC
Interventional Cardiology
Cathy- Nancy and I are so sorry for your loss. We know how hard you worked for the last 6 weeks to make David comfortable.
David was an excellent physician and an excellent partner. Everyone I talked to in the recent past all said the same thing-“he was just a good guy.”
Everyone knew how caring he was in the treatment of his patients. He truly embodied the famous internist Dr. Francis W. Peabody’s admonishment to his students when he said “the secret of the care of the patient is in CARING FOR THE PATIENT!”
Rest in peace, David. You will be truly missed.
I was a roommate of David’s one year at K.U., at Grace Pearson Scholarship Hall, along with a couple other McP friends of his (I’m from Wichita). He was just a super nice guy. I tried but missed getting him to come to the last schol hall reunion (2018). I wish he had come so I could have caught up some. I am not surprised in the least by his wonderful resume. My condolences to his family and friends.
Cathy and family, I am so sorry for your loss. I had the privilege of working for with Dr. Goering both at LMH and serving together for years on the Health Care Access Board. He truly was “simply the best” and a role model for delivering compassionate care. He will be missed.
David was my good friend since high school and that dates our friendship back to 53 years. He was the science guy and I was the spiritual dude and we both worked and wanted a peaceful justice for all humankind. David was a compassionate champion for civil rights for all people. He had a special kindness for those with an injured heart because he was born with one.
My heartfelt sympathy for Cathy and all of his family and friends! I believe that he will always be a vital element in healing our broken hearts! Blessings dear friend! You’re one of the very best!!
Dr. Goering was a wonderful person. He knew just what to say or do whenever I struggled during the early years of my career. I am a better person having known him. Thinking of Cathy and his family—
I had the privilege to work with Dr. Goering while at LMH. He was a great person and Doctor. My thoughts and prayers go out to his wife and family.
I was so thankful to work with Dr. Goering on the Health Care Access board. Douglas County’s capacity to care for people who have difficulty accessing care is so much better today because of Dr. Goering’s work. I am so sorry for your loss.
We were so very sorry to hear about David’s passing. He was one of the “good guys” who truly cared about his patients and coworkers. He was a champion for healthcare equity and worked hard to better this right for those in our community. We both so enjoyed working with David over the years; there really just wasn’t anyone kinder and more caring than he. He will be greatly missed among the health care community. Our deepest condolences to his family. Aynsley and Rich Sosinski
I know I join everyone who knew David in mourning the loss of a truly wonderful individual. I had the privilege of working very closely with him for many years at LMH and supporting the great work he did for caring for so many others. His genuine kindness and compassion for others, as well as his tremendous work ethic was always on display. David – you will be missed but the legacy you have left in Lawrence and the medical community will endure.
Dr. Goering was just so kind and compassionate. I worked in the same corner of the building with him at internal medicine group and we often talked about books, music, and dogs. I know he was really enjoying his retirement and I was so sad to hear that he was ill. He was a wonderful person, and he will be missed by so many people. My deepest condolences to the entire family.
The loss of David is simply a loss for all in this community. He was such a leader by example, a humble sweet man who was good at everything.
If you knew him, you loved him. Quick to smile and show kindness to everyone, we will all grieve his passing for a very long time.
I am so glad he found Cathy, and she found him. They respected and loved each other, and her care for him in these past six weeks was a reflection of that love.
He had strong convictions and he didn’t just talk about them, he flew into action to try to make things better. He could make anything, from
birdhouses to fine furniture. He grew vegetables in his garden and then put them on his homemade from scratch pizza. David loved life, his family,
colleagues, patients and friends. It is so difficult to see someone this full of life lose theirs. We miss you David, and always will.
David was an exceptional man. I enjoyed visiting with him about patients and life in general. His kind and gentle nature added to his medical acumen for the best care possible. He left an indelible mark on those of us who knew him.
He will be missed, but not forgotten.
I was fortunate to work with Dr. Goering on the inpatient side of LMH. He seemed to almost always have a smile and could be relied upon to offer a listening presence to his patients.
It was obvious he had his patient’s best interest at heart. The Lawrence community will miss him very much.
So sorry to hear of his passing. I worked at LMH in Housekeeping for 10 years and he always greeted me with a hello. May your memories comfort you at this time.
Although David had taken care of my mother previously, I really did not meet him until shortly before his death. Even in the limited time I spent with him, I found him to be a kind and enjoyable person who truly seemed to care about people. He made the world a better place.
Larry Magee
I had been trying to reach David since Don had passed on the information. I am so sorry to hear of his death. We had really lost touch. The last time I saw him was at his mother’s tree planting at Susan’s home in Baltimore. What a great man he had turned out to be! He will be sorely missed by everyone who truly knew him.
David was briefly my doctor and what a good doctor he was. He was very kind and thorough.
My heart goes out to Cathy (who I have had the pleasure of playing tennis with) and family. I know he will be missed but not forgotten.
I am sad to hear the need of Dr Goering’s death. I had the pleasure of working with him for years at LMH- and then on the patient/receiving end of his care and expertise several years ago. He was such a kind and intelligent man- he will be missed.
Cathy and family,
Kristen and I are so sorry for your loss. David embodied what it meant to be an excellent physician. I’ve never met a more kind, caring, empathetic and knowledgeable doctor. He always put others first both at work and in the community. He is the closest thing I’ve seen to a model physician. He always put others first. It was such a privilege to know him professionally and personally. I am honored to have been his friend. He will be greatly missed.
Dale and Kristen Denning.
I believe the important accolades for those I respect and love are best conveyed while they can still hear them, not just after they’re gone. In David’s case, I regrettably failed. He was my closest friend the last two years of high school; we ran for student council together, partners in debate and spent hours discussing life over coffee and Halls honey-lemon lozenges.
As many have attested, Dave was a compassionate man; he championed those who struggled, never disparaging the weak. He was a diligent student, determined to practice medicine, but he never aspired to the fortunes of being a doctor; rather, his ambition was always to help those who needed an advocate. Dave Goering was the consummate advocate.
Though time and distance have separated our connectedness, I will always admire this wonderful friend and his influence in my life! I pray comfort for Cathy and the family; his death is a tremendous loss but leaves a wonderful legacy.
Dave and I practiced together during his NHSC years in Iowa. He was a wonderful colleague.