Dr. Rodman R. Goltry D.D.S.

Dr. Rodman R. Goltry, 93, of Huntley, Illinois died peacefully July 4, 2025, with his family by his side.

Rodman was born June 13, 1932, in Russell, Iowa, the son of Loren and Margery (Randall) Goltry. He graduated from Des Moines Technical High School in June 1950. On June 18, 1955, he married Susan Noblett. Dr. Goltry was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and retired as a Colonel in the U.S. Air Force Reserve in 1992. He received the Outstanding Dental Officer Award, the Air Force Commendation Medal, and Meritorious Service Medal. He was active with the Reserve Officers Association of the United States where he served as Illinois Department Surgeon.

Dr. Goltry retired as Chief of the Dental Services at the V.A. Lakeside Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois in July 1994 after 27 years of service to the Veterans Administration. Dr. Goltry graduated from Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa in 1954 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology. He then attended the University of Iowa Dental School where he received his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree in 1958. He completed a dental internship with the U.S. Air Force at Lackland AFB in San Antonio and was assigned to the Chateauroux Air Force Base in France as a Captain in the Dental Corp from 1959-1962. After his tour with the Air Force he opened a private practice in general dentistry in Des Moines, Iowa from 1963-1967.

In 1967, after 4 years in private dental practice, Dr. Goltry joined the Veterans Administration. He was assigned to VA Hospitals in Clarksburg, West Virginia, Buffalo, New York, and Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, before joining the VA Lakeside Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois in 1974 as Chief of Dental Services. He also completed his Residency in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in 1972, his Master of Science in Epidemiology in 1980 from SUNY Buffalo, and was an Assistant Professor at the Northwestern University School of Dentistry in Chicago until his retirement in 1994.

During his career he was a consultant to the DuPage County Health Department, and was a member or fellow in several professional organizations including the American Dental Association. From 1975 to 1994, Dr. Goltry coordinated the Head and Neck Examination for the Health Screening Program sponsored by the American Dental Association during their annual conventions. He completed research projects, published articles, and trained many General Practice Residents, Residents in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Dental Hygienists and Dental Assistants, and served on several hospital committees.

After his retirement, he enjoyed travelling through the U. S. and Europe with his wife. He was also an avid collector, enjoyed music, and taking walks with his grandsons.

He is survived by his loving wife of 70 years, Susan and their children, Kirk (Tricia) of Round Lake Beach, Illinois, Dr. Kristin of Gaithersburg, Maryland, Kevin of Huntley, Illinois, and Karen Goltry-Vento (Joe) of Yorkville, Illinois. He has five grandsons, Colin and Cameron Goltry, Alexander (Zoey) and Eric Hearn, and Nicholas Vento, and one great-granddaughter, Esme Hearn. Also surviving is his sister, Jerrine (Gilbert) Andreini of Des Moines, Iowa and sister-in-law, Joy Morriss of Kerrville, Texas, and several nephews and nieces.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street, Des Moines, Iowa. Funeral service will be held 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, also at the funeral home. Burial will be at Glendale Cemetery in Des Moines with military honors being accorded.

Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

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