David Charles Goering, Md

David Charles Goering, MD, 68, Lawrence, KS passed away on Tuesday April 4, 2023, at his home, under the care of Douglas County Hospice.  A private service will be held with his family in McPherson, Kansas.

David was born in Newton, Kansas, grew up in Wichita, and attended McPherson High School.  He went to college at the University of Florida for his freshman year.  He completed his undergraduate years at the University of Kansas, graduating cum laude with a BA in Chemistry, as well as receiving PHI Beta Kappa distinction.  David attended the University of Kansas School of Medicine, where he completed his residency in Internal Medicine.  He was board certified in Internal Medicine and became a Fellow in the American College of Physicians.

At the time of his birth in 1954, he was diagnosed with a congenital heart condition that would shape the rest of his life.  At that time, open heart surgical procedures were just being developed, and at age 5, he had a surgical repair of his heart at KU Medical Center that would allow him to survive and grow into adulthood.  This became the catalyst for his decision to go to medical school and become an internist.  He attended the University of Kansas School of Medicine on a scholarship with the National Health Service Corps, which required that he serve at a Federally Qualified Health Center in Waterloo, Iowa.

These experiences had an impact on his career, as he had deep compassion for the plight of the poor and uninsured persons in our country.  After working ten years in Iowa and two years in Wisconsin, he and his family returned to their home state of Kansas, where he practiced in Topeka at Stormont-Vail and Cotton-O’Neil Clinic for nine years.  He also volunteered at the Marian Clinic and served as Medical Director of Heartland Hospice in Topeka.

He then found his dream job when he and Dr. Charles Yockey started the LMH Hospitalist program, which radically changed the way the medical community practiced in Lawrence.  During this time, he volunteered at Health Care Access Clinic, which was a safety-net clinic for the uninsured people of Douglas County.  He served as Medical Director of the clinic from 2006-2013, as well as serving on the Board of Directors.

Being an advocate for the uninsured, he was a member of the Physicians for a National Health Program, and was a founding member of Kansas Health Care for All, both organizations advocated for a Single Payer National Health Insurance Program.  He was a member of Governor Sebelius’ Roundtable on Healthcare Planning and Finance, representing the uninsured population.

Dr Goering retired in March 2022, and was involved in several volunteer endeavors until his sudden illness.

He is preceded in death by his brother, Dean, and is survived by his wife, Catherine, and his three children: Eric Goering of Atlanta, Ann Schwartz of Philadelphia, Joseph Goering of West Palm Beach, and a stepson, Ray Tupper of Lawrence.  David leaves five grandchildren: Felix, Merryn and Stefan Goering, and Perrin and Noble Schwartz.  Surviving siblings are Susan Goering of Baltimore MD, Mark Goering of Modesto CA, and Steven Goering of Norfolk VA.

The family suggests memorials in David’s name to Just Food and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13 ^th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.