OAC Member since March 8, 1990
OAC member Betty Goerke was an author, archaeologist, and anthropologist whose work centered on the Coast Miwok people. She died at her Mill Valley home on August 25, at the age of 93. “She was everyone’s advocate,” said Robin Heard, Ms. Goerke’s daughter.
Ms. Goerke was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on March 16, 1931. Once she graduated from Radcliffe College, she moved to San Francisco with her husband, Jon Goerke, and taught history at the Branson School in Ross. In 1965, she went back to school to study history and archeology at San Francisco State University. Much of what Marin County knows about Chief Marin is due to Ms. Goerke’s work. The research and digs she and students did in Marin County resulted in her book, “Chief Marin and Discovering the Native People of Point Reyes” (2012). Other works included“Chief Marin: Leader, Rebel and Legend” (2007), and a children’s book, “Adventures of Two Coast Miwok Children” (2020). Upon publication, she gifted the children’s book to all third-grade teachers in Marin County. In 1971, she began teaching anthropology and archeology at College of Marin, where she stayed for over 30 years. She led students on archaeological digs and field trips — including a trip to France to see the prehistoric art in the Lascaux caves, as well as trips to sites in Mexico and Guatemala.
Ms Goerke was also a musician and a fine dancer. In 2020, she was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Mill Valley Historical Society. She is survived by her son Jon Goerke, and daughters Katharine Goerke and Robin Heard.
Lynda Chittenden
Archives Standing Committee
September 9, 2024
Source: Marin IJ September 4, 2024