Randolph Carl Gogatz

Randolph Carl Gogatz was born January 17, 1947 in Honolulu, Hawaii as Randolph Carl Gogats to John Carl Gogats and Mary Nancy Sabol Gogats. He was Ranwave. He changed his “s” to a “z”. He graduated from John Hopkins University with a Master of Arts in literature. He loved the ocean. He loved sunsets and ice storms. He loved to dance. He had an eye for symmetry and beauty unparalleled. He used that eye to photograph his world. My youngest son said “Mother, Randy owned his life. He did not waste it.” When his cancer returned in September 2011, he fought it all the way. He refused to give up. Randy wasted not one moment of living.
He died at his home in Atlanta on Sunday April 22, 2012 with his wife by his side. He is survived by his sister Janine Gogats of Glen Burnie, MD, friends and cousins scattered around the country, three step children, Henry Whelan, Kathrine Whelan, and Ricky Whelan, and his wife, Debra Gogatz.
The body was cremated and a private memorial service will be held June 16. In lieu of flowers, Randy requested donations be made to the Atlanta Swing Dancer’s Club or the Cancer Center of Children’s Health Care of Atlanta.