Donald Clemens

Donald Gotwals Clemens, of Goshen, Indiana, passed away peacefully at his home on July 27, 2025. He was born on May 13, 1939, in Elroy, Pennsylvania, the eldest of six children born to Marcus and Helen (Gotwals) Clemens.

On August 20, 1961, Don married the love of his life, Marie Gehman, in Quakertown, Pennsylvania. Together they shared nearly 64 years of marriage, building a life filled with faith, family, and service. Marie survives, along with their daughters Rhonda (David) Talbott of Indianapolis and Denise (Michael) Murphy of Goshen; and their five beloved grandchildren: Margo and William Talbott, and Lauren, Megan, and Jacob Murphy.

He is also survived by his siblings: Orrie (Terri) Clemens of Broomfield, Colorado; Leanne (Dale) Wentorf of Goshen, Indiana; Jane (Hank) Landes of Souderton, Pennsylvania; Carolyn (Philip) Bontrager of Grand Marais, Michigan; and Richard (Jane) Clemens of Bend, Oregon—as well as their families. He was preceded in death by his parents and stepmother, Phyllis Leidy Clemens.

Don’s education began at Franconia and Quakertown Mennonite Schools, continuing at Christopher Dock Mennonite High School. In his youth, several summers were spent working the Gotwals farm with his uncle Bill and learning to drive a tracker trailer before he entered Goshen College, where he earned a bachelor's degree in chemistry in 1961. He then went on to receive his Ph.D. in organic chemistry from the University of Pennsylvania in 1966. After working for a year with DuPont Chemical in New Jersey, he was invited to return to Goshen College to teach—a calling that shaped the rest of his professional life.

During his 37-year tenure at Goshen College, Don served with deep commitment as a professor, mentor, advisor to pre-medical students, and leader in the GC Study-Service Term (SST) programs in Nicaragua (1970) and Belize (1978–79). He found joy in connecting with students and colleagues, often over lunch and a game of Bridge, or when attending GC sporting and musical events on campus. He was quick to recognize former students and proud of the many alumni, especially his daughters, who went on to work in healthcare, science, and service professions around the world.

Through these years and in retirement, he was an active member of College Mennonite Church – participating in small groups, Sunday school, choir, helping as a greeter, and with food service activities. He supported CMC in the development of the Campus Center for Young Children and always enjoyed donating to Mennonite Central Committee, helping at and attending the Michiana Relief Sale for many years.

After retiring in 2004, Don and Marie began an adventurous chapter of life, traveling across the United States—including a memorable four-month trip to Alaska—with their RV. They camped in every state, spent cherished summers at Little Eden Camp in Onekama, Michigan, and enjoyed winters in Tucson, Arizona, then volunteering at Lakewood Retreat Center in Brooksville, Florida. They later wintered in Sarasota, Florida where they found a second church home with Covenant Mennonite Fellowship.

When back in Goshen, Don generously donated his time to the community. He volunteered for many years at The Window, helping in the food pantry. He continued to serve Goshen College as a volunteer in a variety of roles—from the mailing office, landscaping around the science building, and ushering at campus events.

Don had a passion for the outdoors and a love of life's simple pleasures: tennis, hiking, biking, golfing, gardening, card games, crossword puzzles, and feeding birds in their backyard sanctuary; many of these activities he enjoyed doing with his cherished grandchildren.  He and Marie celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 2011 by taking their children and their families on a land-and-sea tour to Alaska, followed by hosting a backyard celebration. For their 60th, the family gathered again—this time enjoying a cruise through the Panama Canal.

Above all, Don will be remembered for his humble and kind nature, generosity, curiosity, and quiet devotion to his faith, family, and the communities he served.

The family invites you to share in their Celebration of his Life on August 16th at 11am with visitation before, starting at 9am. A light meal will then follow the service, with a time to share memories and stories.  This celebration will be held in the College Mennonite Church sanctuary.  In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial contribution to the Donald & Marie Clemens Chemistry Scholarship Fund at Goshen College. His ashes will be placed in the Memorial Garden at College Mennonite Church in a private family ceremony.

To Donate visit; https://giving.goshen.edu/clemens-memorial