Roy Franz Goern Obituary

Roy Franz Goern, age 86, died on February 7, 2023 in Henderson, Nevada. His cause of death was due to stroke.

He was born on April 29, 1936 in Chicago, Illinois.

Roy is survived by his three children, Derrick (Jessika) Goern of Henderson, Nevada, Valerie (Mark) Belinc of Las Vegas, Nevada, and Sandra (Steve) Grande of Grants Pass, Oregon, and nieces and nephews, Gillian, Adam, Jeff, Sue, and Mark.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Nancy Grace Goern (née Jespersen), his parents, Max and Elsie Goern and his brother, Harry Goern.

Roy was the son of German immigrants. He grew up in Chicago, Illinois where his parents settled and became American citizens. Roy followed his brother Harry to attend the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where he earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mechanical engineering. He met his wife Nancy while both were students at the University of Illinois. They married in 1958 following his graduation and remained together until her death in 2022.

Roy and Nancy moved from the Midwest to Southern California to raise their family while Roy pursued a challenging and successful career in the aerospace industry. After his retirement, he continued to consult with his former colleagues and enjoyed traveling with Nancy. He and Nancy spent their later retirement years in Las Vegas and Henderson, Nevada close to their two eldest children.

Roy lived his life with integrity. He was steadfast in his beliefs, unswayed by the opinions of others. He was direct and concise in his words and actions. Behind his often brusque manner, however, was a curious and thoughtful mind, a sly sense of humor and a compassionate heart. Roy’s first priority and concern was always to provide for his family, but expressing his love, appreciation and gratitude before he passed was his greatest gift to them.

It was Roy’s wish to donate his body to science. Arrangements were made through the Science Care Program in Phoenix, Arizona.

A celebration of life gathering will be held on April 29, 2023 at 12:00 p.m. at the home of Derrick and Jessika Goern in Henderson, Nevada.

Donations in Roy’s memory may be made to the American Stroke Association (https://www.stroke.org) or Planned Parenthood (https://www.plannedparenthood.org)