7-23-2026 5:52pm

Goetze's Candy

Jeff Barto Editor

Former Goetze’s Candy CEO Spaulding Goetze Sr. Dies At 80

Spaulding Goetze Sr., former CEO of Goetze’s Candy Company Inc., passed away on July 20, at his home in Towson, MD, following a battle with Corticobasal Degeneration. He was 80.

Born on February 26, 1946, Goetze was raised in Baltimore’s Northwood neighborhood. He graduated from Baltimore City College in 1965 and enlisted in the United States Coast Guard the following year, serving as a hospital corpsman and aboard the USCG vessel Mendota.

After returning to Baltimore, he joined the family business alongside his father, R. Melvin Goetze Jr., and his brother, Randle M. Goetze III. Over a 53-year career, he helped lead Goetze’s Candy Company while dedicating countless hours of service to the confectionery industry. He held numerous leadership positions, including chairman of the National Association of Convenience Stores’ Associate Board.

Goetze received many honors throughout his career, including being named a Dean of the Industry by the American Wholesaler Marketers Association (now CDA). One of his proudest achievements came in 1998, when he was inducted into the Candy Hall of Fame, the confectionery industry’s highest honor recognizing individuals who have dedicated their careers to advancing and protecting the industry.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Goetze devoted much of his life to serving his community. He was a longtime trustee of St. Paul’s School in Brooklandville, MD. Following the Lower School fire in 1990, he was asked to lead the Building Committee responsible for rebuilding the school, helping create a space that continues to serve students today. He later supported the construction of a new chapel, believing it would provide a place where students could be grounded in a life of faith.

In his later years, Goetze became a strong supporter of the Comprehensive Pediatric Care Unit at St. Joseph Medical Center in Towson, reflecting his belief in investing in a brighter future for children in his community.

He cherished spending time on his farm in Sparks, MD, before moving to Blakehurst Retirement Community in 2024. His love of the outdoors was evident in his passion for hunting on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, supporting the state’s agricultural community, and preserving Baltimore County’s open spaces through his work with the Greenspring Valley Council.

Goetze’s appreciation for Maryland’s natural resources also inspired his longtime support of Ducks Unlimited and his love of sporting dogs and livestock. During the late 1990s and early 2000s, he served as chairman of the Maryland Wildlife Advisory Commission, following his appointment by the governor, helping shape policies to protect the state’s wildlife and natural habitats.

To generations of Goetze’s associates, Goetze was more than a CEO — he was a mentor, confidant, and friend who believed the company’s greatest strength was its people.

He is remembered as someone who genuinely cared about the people behind Goetze’s Candy. He made it a point to walk the factory floor regularly, greeting employees by name and taking time to ask about their families and lives. His office door was always open, and many associates sought his advice and support during difficult personal times. Whether celebrating milestones or helping employees navigate life’s challenges, he built relationships rooted in trust, compassion, and respect.

Even after passing leadership of Goetze’s Candy to the fifth generation, he remained deeply connected to many of these colleagues and friends, believing one of the greatest rewards of working in a family business was the lasting relationships formed over a lifetime. As he often said, those friendships were built “while at work.”

Reflecting on his career during his Candy Hall of Fame induction, Goetze said, “I have worked hard throughout my life and career, and I have enjoyed every minute of the climb; I have lived a rewarding life.”

Goetze is survived by his wife of 58 years, Cynthia; his three sons, Spaulding Jr., Mitchell, and Todd, and their wives; eight grandchildren; a great-grandson; his brother, Randle, and his wife; and two nieces.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations can be made to: Gilchrist Services, 1131 McCormick Road, Suite 350, Hunt Valley, MD 21031, www.gilchristcares.org or Maryland SPCA, 3300 Falls Road, Baltimore, MD 21211, www.mdspca.org