On July 1st, the Staff, Volunteers and Board of Good Neighbor Free Medical Clinic of Beaufort honored Dr. Goettle at a party held at the Clinic in recognition of his 90th birthday and his retirement after over 55 years of devoted service to his patients. Dr. Goettle had a private practice in California where he made house calls for 35 years. He was Chairman of Family Medicine at the US Naval Hospital in Beaufort for five years, worked for Doctor’s Care in Beaufort, and served as a volunteer physician at the Clinic from its inception until the day of the party.

[caption id="attachment_23593" align="alignright" width="150"]<a href="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Screen-Shot-2015-07-09-at-7.27.06-PM-e1436484467113.png"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-23593" src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Screen-Shot-2015-07-09-at-7.27.06-PM-e1436484467113-150x150.png" alt="James W. Goettle, M.D." width="150" height="150" /></a> James W. Goettle, M.D.[/caption]

In announcing his retirement, Dr. Goettle said: “I have practiced in a number of settings, and although I have enjoyed all of them, the Good Neighbor Clinic gave me an emotional experience that none of the other settings offered. Surrounded by volunteers giving their time and the appreciation of our patients was the difference.”

Dr. Goettle was beloved by the patients he treated and the staff who worked with him. Over 50 people attended the party in his honor, where he spoke eloquently about his lifelong career in medicine. The Rt. Rev. Alden M. Hathaway, Bishop in Residence at The Parish Church of St. Helena, Beaufort, and a Board member at the Clinic made a presentation to Dr. Goettle on behalf of the Staff, Volunteers and Board.