Philip C. Goettel

Philip C. Goettel, Syracuse, died December 21, 2025.

Survived by his wife Susan, daughter Carlin, granddaughter, Adelaide and son-in-law, Thomas Pfeiffer.

Phil was an exceptional man, accomplished in many fields of endeavor, imbued with deep kindness and compassion for others. His intellect was insatiable. He loved learning new things, traveling to new lands, accumulating new skills, and making new friends. To know him was to love him.

Married in college, after earning a masters degree in1973, he and his wife Susie bought a VW Camper and commenced a year long trek cross country, visiting as many National Parks as possible. It was a highlight of his life. The travel bug never left him.

Following an epic driving trip across Mexico in 1981, he returned to his newly purchased home in the University area of Syracuse. He was soon blessed with one of his greatest joys, the birth of his daughter Carly.

His career in the Federal Government took him far. He spent five years in London, two years in Australia and New Zealand, and months in Japan, with business in much of Europe. He loved these assignments to new places, new cultures to explore.

In 2001, he helped establish Glimmerglass Arts and Antiques with his wife Susie in the Cooperstown area. The shop was in a seventeen room home in need of total renovation. He made it a treasured second home and property over a period of 20 years. He loved ending his work day out on his boat with a glass of wine. Then he'd head back to be stream side and start a bonfire and watch the stars come out above the barn. He truly loved it there.

Once retired, he volunteered his time tutoring English to newly arrived immigrants. He had a soft spot for immigrants after one day spent with immigrant workers harvesting in California. He and Susie were the high earners on that day and came home with basically peanuts. 

Phil was so happy five years ago at the birth of his granddaughter Adelaide. He delighted in taking her down to the stream looking for crayfish, finding a tiny toad, or simply rocking her on the front porch, watching a gentle rain.

Most of the wonder he encompassed can't be easily conveyed. Let's just say "He contained multitudes." 

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