Dr. Ernest Raymond Goeres

Dr. Ernest R. Goeres, 87, passed away peacefully on June 18, 2025, at Madison House Rehabilitation Center in Morgantown, WV, where he was recovering from pneumonia. Born in 1937, in Osmond, Nebraska, he was the son of the late Theodore Frederick Goeres and Harriet Halleen Goeres.

Dr. Goeres, affectionately known as "Ernie" to his family and friends, was born during the World War II era to parents who experienced the Great Depression. He battled polio as a child, attributing his recovery to his mother's care.

After graduating in 1955 from St. Francis Xavier High School in Dyersville, Iowa, Dr. Goeres served with distinction in the U.S. Army from 1955 to 1958, stationed in Germany and France as part of the Signal Corps.

Dr. Goeres attended the University of Iowa, in Iowa City, IA, earning a B.A. in Music Education in 1962, followed by a M.A. in Business Management, and a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration in 1972.

In May 1967, Dr. Goeres married Sharon Ann Tobin, also from Dyersville, Iowa, at St. Mary's Church in Dubuque, Iowa. Their first son, Eric Christopher, was born in 1972. At the same time, Dr. Goeres was appointed associate dean to the College of Human Resources & Education at West Virginia University, and the family moved to Point Marion, Pennsylvania. They established their permanent residence in Morgantown, West Virginia, in 1986.

The family experienced the tragic passing of their second son, Kevin Michael, in 1974, due to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). They later welcomed two more sons, Jason Michael, born in 1975, and Ryan Scott, born in 1978.

From 1972 until his retirement as professor emeritus in 2011, Dr. Goeres dedicated 39 years to WVU, serving as assistant, associate, and interim dean of the College of Human Resources & Education. He was deeply committed to teaching and profoundly influenced the lives of countless students, notably chairing hundreds of dissertation committees. As past dean and faculty emeritus, he established the first Higher Education Administration Endowment Fund in 2011, providing vital support for research, teaching, and social activities within the college.

Beyond his professional achievements, Dr. Goeres was an avid doubles tennis player for decades, often competing with WVU colleagues in Westover. He was also a daily cyclist of Morgantown’s Rails to Trails, often riding 25 miles a day, until he suffered a stroke in 2015. He served for many years on the board of directors for Albert Gallatin Home Health Care. He was renowned for his remarkable sense of humor and his exceptional dedication to assisting his students. Dr. Goeres frequently shared captivating stories of his time in the Army in Europe and was known for his love of jokes and quick wit.

In addition to his parents, Dr. Goeres was preceded in death by his son, Kevin Michael Goeres, and his in-laws, Richard and Kathleen Tobin.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 58 years, Sharon Ann Tobin Goeres; his sons, Eric Goeres (Lindy Nowak) of Valencia, Spain, Jason Goeres (Jennifer Hoard) of Morgantown, and Ryan Goeres of Phoenix, Arizona; his two brothers, Ted (Junko) Goeres of Riverside, California, and Nick Goeres of Irvine, California; and numerous in-laws, nieces, and nephews.

Family and friends will be received at the WVU Erickson Alumni Center, 1 Alumni Drive, Morgantown, on Wednesday, July 16, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue at the WVU Erickson Alumni Center on Thursday, July 17, from 10:00 a.m. until the memorial service beginning at 12:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Dr. Goeres’ memory may be made to the Dr. Ernest R. Goeres Higher Education Administration Fund (Fund ID# 3Z712), either online at https://give.wvu.edu or by mail to Dr. Ernest R. Goeres Higher Education Administration Fund, 1 Waterfront Place, 7th floor, Morgantown, WV 26501.

Hastings Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements and cremation.

Condolences may be extended to the family online at www.hastingsfuneralhome.com