Matthew Edwin Goltl

Matthew (Matt) Edwin Goltl, 64, passed away on Wednesday, October 28th, 2026, in Wichita, KS. He will be remembered for his love for his family and close friends, a life full of varied interests, and the joy he took in all his pursuits.

Matt was born on May 21, 1962, in St. Francis, Kansas, to Bethel Louise (Ochsner) and Lavern Francis Goltl. His careers varied throughout his life, first working as a mechanic for cars, motorcycles, and helicopters. He eventually landed on chiropractic work earning his Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Parker College in Dallas, Texas, in 1994. He earned his Certification in Chiropractic Plus Kinesiology in 1995. Soon after, he and his wife Marty (Frick) moved to Wichita, Kansas, where he opened his chiropractic office with Leslee Piotrowski Fruend by his side. They had a thriving 28-year run, only ending with Matt’s retirement in May of 2026. He served on professional organizations for chiropractic-kinesiology work and neuromuscular therapy, and led workshops and educational trainings to share his vast knowledge throughout his career.

Matt’s life’s passion was healing others, and he found great joy in helping his patients over the course of his 32-year career. Matt and Marty happily brought Sophia Grace and Jack Avery into the world on April 9, 1999, in Wichita, Kansas. He loved sharing his favorite music with them, quizzing them on songs and artists daily on their drives to and from school. He was proud of their every accomplishment, whether that was learning to drive a stick shift at the farm when they could barely reach the truck pedals or making a big move alone halfway across the world.

Matt enjoyed many hobbies. As a child, he was inspired by watching crop dusters fly over his family farm, which led him to earn his pilot’s license in 1986. His airplanes made for easier commutes from Wichita to the family farm, just south of McDonald, Kansas. His well-maintained airstrip at the farm, Goltl Airport, allowed for many smooth landings. Matt loved to fly around the area during harvest, buzzing his friends and neighbors who were working the fields. He often spent weekends with his loved ones at the farm, finding creative projects that helped reinvent their childhood home. The conversion of the old tank house to a sauna and the addition of the south-facing deck helped make many memorable family reunions even more enjoyable.

Matt also loved to spend his springs chasing tornados. He often excitedly shared his interviews and video footage in National Geographic’s Inside the Mega Twister, describing his narrow escape from the 2013 El Reno Tornado. Though he claimed the experience would be his last, it became only a hiatus as Matt couldn’t resist further chases. He loved new experiences, for himself and for everyone around him.

His later years were shared with his partner Michelle Reid. Together, they explored home and abroad, from the Arikaree Breaks to the Cliffs of Moher, with an unwavering shared excitement.

Matt is survived by his children Sophia Goltl and Jack Goltl, and their mother Marty Golden; his partner Michelle Reid; his siblings David Goltl (Elizabeth Astorino) of Brooklyn, New York; Alan Goltl (Denise Renee) of Wichita, Kansas; Amy Waters (Mike) of Burlington, Colorado; nieces and nephew Ellen McCloskey, Owen Waters, and Brynn Fisher. He is preceded in death by his parents.

His joy and mischief will be remembered and greatly missed.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, November 7th at the Wichita Boathouse (515 S. Wichita, KS 67202) at 10 am.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the ACLU of Kansas or The Parkinson's Foundation. https://www.aclukansas.org https://www.parki