Clarence Edward "Chick" Goetz

Clarence Edward “Chick” Goetz, 93, retired Chief U.S. Magistrate Judge and former Assistant U.S. Attorney, passed away on December 23, 2025. He held the distinction of being the longest-serving U.S. Magistrate Judge in the nation, serving from 1970 to 1997. Born in Baltimore on February 4, 1932, he was the son of Helen Murphy Goetz, a homemaker, and Frank E. Goetz, a Plant Manager for the former Meadowgold Dairy. He lost his first wife of 38 years, Nancy Aut Goetz, to breast cancer in 1994 and later married Katherine Golden Rich in 1996. Chick is survived by his sons, F. Edward Goetz II (Virginia) and Paul A. Goetz (Stuart); devoted stepdaughters Kerry Rich Prior and Sally Rich Furlong (Paul); and loving grandchildren F. Edward Goetz III, Christoph E. Goetz, Erich J. Goetz (Jasmine), Colin Prior, and Addison Furlong. He also leaves his dear sister, Margaret Goetz Ziemski, and brother-in-law, Norman. A 1950 graduate of Loyola Blakefield, Chick attended Johns Hopkins University on an engineering scholarship. Motivated by a sense of duty during the Korean War, he left Hopkins after his first semester to enlist in the U.S. Air Force. After training, he was stationed in Okinawa as an Air Traffic Controller, directing B-29 bomber landings at the young age of 19. Following his military service, he worked as a lineman for the Chesapeake & Potomac Telephone Company. Observing older men enduring the harsh Baltimore winters, Chick decided he wanted a different path and returned to school. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Baltimore in 1961 and continued at the University of Baltimore School of Law, receiving his J.D. and admission to the Maryland Bar in 1964. He practiced privately from 1964 to 1966 before serving as Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland from 1966 to 1970. In 1970, he joined the United States District Court for the District of Maryland as a U.S. Magistrate Judge, becoming Chief Magistrate Judge in 1987 and serving until his retirement on February 4, 1997. During retirement, he frequently acted as a mediator and, after a conversation with Maryland Attorney General Joseph Curran, returned to public service as an Assistant Attorney General, prosecuting gun cases statewide until retiring at age 79. Chick’s commitment to service extended beyond the courtroom. He volunteered for the Civil Air Patrol, organizing search and rescue missions, and served as an assistant professor at the University of Baltimore (1975) and Towson State College (1976). He was an active member of the Hopkins Club and L’Hirondelle Club. An avid pilot, Chick earned both Private and Commercial Pilot licenses and spent decades enjoying the skies. He often flew with his wife, Katie, on trips to Cape May, New Jersey, relishing time together and the joy of flight. Summer vacations at Cape May, reading and watching the ocean from their porch, and winters in Vero Beach, Florida, overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway, were among his cherished moments. Above all, Chick valued his family, friends, and time with Katie. Known for his excellent sense of humor and his gift of exuding calm in any situation, he was deeply loved and admired by all who knew him. A Memorial Mass will be held on May 29 at 11 a.m. at The Cathedral of Mary Our Queen, Lady Chapel, 5200 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21210.

Clarence Edward "Chick" Goetz

February 4, 1932 - December 23, 2025