JOHN H. GOTJEN, JR., ENS, USN

John Gotjen, Jr. '26

Date of birth: February 9, 1904

Date of death: October 30, 1928

Age: 24

Lucky Bag

From the 1926 Lucky Bag:

John Hermann Gotjec, Jr.

Charleston, South Carolina

"Speed" "Chain"

"AW—gawaan!" That's just what you'll hear when you try to approach this specimen of a late ambitious race. He doesn't want anyone to bother him. He is perpetually in a hop (not a social function); but he always discovers things at the last minute, and in a mad burst of speed makes hay under the fastly waning sun. "Gee! I'd like to collect a nickel for every hour he has rested in the arms of Morpheus."

Hermann, the methodical, the believer in routine, the vivid proof of Dr. Swift's theory on habit, is an automaton. At the same time each day he does the same things again. Renowned for his idiosyncrasies? You bet he is. Three toothbrushes, all named, keep for his dents the whiteness of ivory. Remarkable smiles display these, as well as his good nature.

Chain is most original. He is especially classical. His example of a thrilling novel is Plutarch's Lives, and his music must be that of Beethoven, Wagner, or Mozart. His own music, however, is that of a 'cello, upon which he has created some wailing whines entirely peculiar to himself.

No, he hasn't a weakness for the stronger sex; but he has dragged some delicious bits of femininity.

We didn't say he was a gourmand, but he does love his "ba--ans." "Ma--an, those ba--ans were gr--ate!"

Orchestra (4); Class Boxing (2, 1).

Loss

From Find A Grave:

The Bee (Danville, Virginia) Wednesday, October 31, 1928, page six
Killed By Propeller
Washington. Oct. 31 - (INS) - Ensign John Herman (sic) Gotjen, Jr. of Charleston, S.C. was killed yesterday at the Pensacola Naval Air Station when he accidently walked into a whirling propeller, the navy department was advised today.

He is buried in South Carolina; his headstone bears the inscription:

In Loving Memory of Ensign John H. Gotjen, Jr., USN Feb 9, 1904 - Oct 30, 1928
Fatally Wounded on Old Corry Field Pensacola, Florida
Under the wide and starry sky,
Happy he lived and brave did he die.
Home is the sailor home from the sea,
Home where he ever loved to be.

He was survived by his parents.

Class of 1926

John is one of 35 members of the Class of 1926 in Memorial Hall.