Francis Gosch

Francis Gosch, better known as Mickey, of Parker, Colorado passed away peacefully this Easter Sunday, April 21st, 2019 surrounded by his family following a bout of pneumonia. Over the past several years, Mickey had battled kidney cancer and doggedly endured dialysis treatments. He maintained his independence and quality of life until the end–making sure his taxes were filed, driving himself to appointments, and thoroughly enjoying a plate of ribs whenever he could sneak them into his prescribed diet. Mickey was born at home in Schaller, Iowa in 1935. He was the third of 15 children, growing up on farms in Odebolt and Sac City, Iowa. From his farm upbringing, he learned self-sufficiency and the ability to fix just about anything. He attended Sac City High School, playing football and serving as vice president of the Future Farmers of America, Sac City chapter. After graduating from high school, he joined the Army, proudly serving his country at the rank of corporal as an artillery survey specialist (1953 – 1955) in Japan and then in the Army Reserve for 8 years. Following his active duty service, he attended an electronics certification program in Omaha, Nebraska and moved to Florida. He worked for Martin Marietta from 1957 – 1975 as a quality control engineer for missile production sites and bases in Florida, Norway, and North Dakota. He met his wife, Joyce, at Martin in Orlando, Florida, and they married in 1959. They raised 3 children, living in Altamonte Springs, Florida; Langdon, North Dakota; and Kenosha, Wisconsin. Mickey was an Assistant Fire Dept. Chief as a volunteer in Altamonte Springs for many years in the mid-60’s. He was also a patrolman with the Auxiliary police at the same time. From 1975 – 2000, he worked for Abbott Laboratories as a quality assurance manager in the pharmaceutical products division, North Chicago, Illinois. Although he never attended college, Mickey taught himself to program computers and worked in a position that typically required a master’s degree. He retired to Parker, Colorado, in 2000. During his retirement, he enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, being a handyman for friends and family, and helping out his neighbors. Mickey is survived by his wife, Joyce (McDermott) Gosch; daughter and son-in-law, Ann Gosch-Siebert and David Siebert, Parker, Colorado; daughter and son-in-law, Elizabeth Gosch and Alan Schwartz, Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania; son and daughter-in-law, David and Megan Gosch, San Mateo, California; grandchildren, Jenna Siebert, Garrett Siebert, Amelia Schwartz, Gillian Schwartz, Devin Moriarty, Jeremy Gosch, and Markus Gosch; brothers and sisters and in-laws, Fred and Norma Gosch, Eleanor Olerick, Betty and Vern Riesselman, Richard and Sandy Gosch, Mary and Carl Snyder, John and Sheila Gosch, Ruth and Mike Leiker, Joan and Jose Hernandez, Jan and Daryl Mandel, Patricia Gosch, Mark and Debbie Gosch, Teri Hogan, and Mary Gosch; numerous nieces and nephews, other relatives and many friends. He was preceded in death by parents, Alfred and Alyce Gosch; his brother, Robert Gosch; and brother-in-law, Francis Olerich.