He was born on February 26, 1946, and raised in Baltimore, graduating from Baltimore City College in 1965 and enlisting in the U.S. Coast Guard in 1966. Once he returned to Baltimore, he joined the family business alongside his father (R. Melvin Goetze Jr.) and his brother (Randle M. Goetze III). 

Over his 53 years in the confectionery industry, he led Goetze's Candy Co. and also held many leadership positions, including chairman of the National Association of Convenience Stores’ associate board. In 1998, he was inducted into the Candy Hall of Fame, reportedly one of the industry's highest honors, which recognizes personnel who have dedicated their careers to the confectionery industry.

Goetze also served his community as a trustee of St. Paul's School in Brooklandville, MD, and a supporter of the Comprehensive Pediatric Care Unit at St. Joseph Medical Center in Towson, MD.

Before moving to a retirement community in 2024, he reportedly enjoyed spending time on his farm in Sparks, MD; he had a passion for agriculture, hunting on Maryland's Eastern Shore, and preserving nature. From the late 1990s through early 2000s, he served as chairman of the Maryland Wildlife Advisory Commission, helping protect the state’s wildlife and natural habitats.

According to Goetze's page on the Candy Hall of Fame website: "To generations of Goetze’s associates, Spaulding was more than a CEO—he was a mentor, confidant, and friend who believed the company’s greatest strength was its people. He is remembered as someone who genuinely cared about the people behind Goetze’s Candy. He made it a point to walk the factory floor regularly, greeting employees by name and taking time to ask about their families and lives. His office door was always open, and many associates sought his advice and support during difficult personal times. Whether celebrating milestones or helping employees navigate life’s challenges, he built relationships rooted in trust, compassion, and respect."

"Even after passing leadership of Goetze’s Candy Company to the fifth generation, he remained deeply connected to many of these colleagues and friends, believing one of the greatest rewards of working in a family business was the lasting relationships formed over a lifetime. As he often said, those friendships were built 'while at work," the organization adds.

The Candy Hall of Fame posted on LinkedIn yesterday, as well, upon his passing. Additionally, Goetze's Candy Company posted a tribute to Goetze on its LinkedIn page:

"Today, the confectionery industry mourns the loss of Spaulding Goetze Sr.—a visionary leader, respected industry advocate, and fourth-generation steward of one of America's most enduring family-owned candy companies," the company's post says.

"Joining Goetze's Candy Company in 1965, Spaulding devoted decades to preserving and growing a family business founded in 1895. Under his leadership, the company expanded the reach of its iconic Caramel Creams and helped establish Cow Tales as a beloved American confection, while remaining steadfast in its commitment to quality, innovation, and family values. He prepared the fifth and sixth generations of the Goetze family to carry the business forward, ensuring that its legacy would continue for years to come. His legacy lives on through the generations of the Goetze family, the company he helped strengthen, and the countless colleagues and friends whose lives he enriched throughout his remarkable career," the post adds, adding Goetze was widely admired for his leadership, integrity, and dedication to advancing the confectionery industry. 

"He believed that lasting success was built not only on great products, but on strong relationships, trust, and a genuine commitment to the people behind the business," the company finishes.

Related: Goetze's aims to stay authentic to its core products