Roger Goette, 81, passed away peacefully on Feb. 23, 2025 at Mercy Hospital, St. Louis, MO surrounded by his loving family. Roger was born in St. Louis to the late Gerald Goette and Evelyn Goette. Roger grew up in St. Louis, attended Bayless H.S., and received a BS in Business Administration from University of Missouri.

Roger used his eight years of experience in medical research with Washington University and Monsanto to build a successful career in chemical and composite sales. He continued the remainder of his years in international technical sales for Thompson Hayward and BASF, then retired from Huntsman in 2009.

Roger’s successful career in chemical sales allowed him to pursue his many passions. Roger was an avid reader and connoisseur of the arts, attending both Oxford and Cambridge to study Shakespeare. He then studied the Impressionists at the Sorbonne, and Irish poets at Trinity College. Roger traveled the world, visiting all the countries of Europe, some of Asia, Canada, Mexico, and all the states in the Union aside from Alaska.

His travels afforded him the ability to learn about cooking and wines throughout the world. He studied both, becoming both a gourmet chef and a sommelier, acting as a judge at several wine events. Roger built a wine cellar in his basement and collected wines and corkscrews from all over the world.

With a love of music, Roger collected hundreds of records, hi-fi stereos, and would often work for hours in his workshop repairing vintage equipment he procured. He served on the Board of Music from Angel Fire.

Roger designed & built a log cabin in the mountains of Northern New Mexico in 2003 in Angel Fire, just outside of Taos. This was Roger’s happy place, spending over half the year there exploring, hiking, and enjoying the amazing friendships he & Bette made. As President of the Moreno Valley Trekkers for several years, he led hikes, repaired trails, and enjoyed the beauty of the Enchanted Circle.

Roger was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2018. He always kept a positive spirit, still spending time with his grandchildren, whom he adored, cheering them on in sports of all kinds.

Roger was known to many for his kind, gentle spirit and dry sense of humor. He was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend. Our family will forever cherish the time we spent with Roger.

Roger is survived by his wife, Bette Jean Goette: sons Taggart (Kirsten Gray), Clayton (Kaitlin Easton) and Russ Cummings (Kimberly Ramler); grandchildren, Parker, Vivian, Chloe, Evie and baby sister to be; brother Ron Goette (Linda) two nieces and one nephew.

A private celebration of life honoring Roger will be held for family and close friends.