"Thank you for your kind words and memories. He's my dad and was just as patient and kind at home. I'll miss him and his smile for the rest of my life. "
In loving memory of
Richard Daryl Goettsch
August 25, 1934 - July 25, 2016
The longtime Webster City Community Schools band instructor Richard Daryl Goettsch, revered for his intellect, patience and kindness, died Monday, July 25, 2016. He was 81. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 27, 2016 from 4:00 -7:00 p.m. at the Foster Funeral and Cremation Center. A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, July 28, 2016 at the Asbury United Methodist Church in Webster City with Pastor Jeff Flagg officiating.
A gentleman, he was. Top notch. Generous. Talented. Loving. Hopeful. And quick-witted. There are not enough words for his loved-ones, and those who knew him only briefly, to describe the late Richard Goettsch.
Goettsch was born August 25, 1934 to the late Alfred Willam Goettsch and Dena Gladys (Campbell) Goettsch just outside Atlantic, IA, and was a 1952 graduate of Elliott High School where he excelled in the classroom and took home all-conference basketball honors. Off the court, Goettsch's long relationship with music began with the gift of a trombone, presented by his mother and played throughout his life. Goettsch met his sweetheart Adra Ann Banker in 1954, when they formed an inseparable bond over their mutual love of music. They married in Elliott, IA at her parents' home in 1958. Goettsch, a promoter of education, holds a bachelor's and master's degree from the University of Nebraska, and was dedicated Huskers fan. He also served his country honorably in Augusta, GA. in the U.S. Army from 1956-1958 as a first lieutenant as a member of the military police.
In 1958 the Goettschs moved to Webster City where Richard began his 36-year career and passion sharing his talent and love of music with students at the Lincoln Building. Goettsch tirelessly taught his students both band and lifelong lessons that would ultimately shape their lives. Goettsch took his teachings to the next level by entering his band in parades, international competitions, and even spearheaded the first Webster City Junior High marching band, donning sharp red jackets.
For 49 years, Goettsch spent his summer Sundays at the Karl King Bandshell in Oleson Park in Fort Dodge. He is a member of the Iowa Bandmaster's Association from whom he received the Karl L. King Distinguished Service Award, as well as a Recognition of Professional Service in the Field of Instrumental Music upon his retirement in 1994. He loved hearing from old students and receiving their thank yous, including the occasional "appreciation for putting up with us for three years with a smile."
Students remember Goettsch as a man of faith who never gave up on them, and served as a constant role model and life coach for so many. For his family, there are few memories and milestones he wasn't there for. Goettsch rarely missed a recital, football game or concert, and the tech-savy grandfather always had a video camera in hand. His smile could be seen every Sunday as an usher at the Asbury United Methodist Church, and in the choir at the Sun Lakes Methodist Church.
Some of his fondest memories included taking his young family on annual vacations all over the U.S. to adventure and spend nights in a camper, pulled by one of his pristine Fords. Many trips included family reunions with his brothers and sisters. Goettsch spent his summers on the links of Briggs Woods Country Club and golfing through 21 winters in Sun Lakes, Ariz. with friends who also joined him for card games, travels, and whiskies.
Goettsch is survived by his wife Adra Ann; daughter Amy and son-in-law John Hartnett of Storm Lake; grandchildren Jack Hartnett, Kelsey Hartnett and fiancé Aaron Clausen of Storm Lake, Lily Goettsch of Webster City and Morgan Zisch of Oregon; great grandchildren Dove DeTapia, and Zoey and Summer Zisch; siblings Russell Goettsch and Sharon Svuba; and numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends. He is preceded in death by his son Alan in 1997, his parents, grandson Richard in 2007, and siblings Robert, Randall and Phyllis.
Goettsch leaves this earth to the sound of a Karl King march, smoking a pipe and looking down on his proudest accomplishment: his family.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established at the funeral home in memory of Richard. Write a personal tribute for the family at www.fosterfuneralandcremation.com.
Tributes
"Mrs. Goettsch... I am so sorry to read of the passing of your husband, Richard. For years, I remember he gave me band lessons in his office behind the band practice room at Washington Central Junior High. We had band practice at "zero hour", eight o'clock I believe, before the actual school day began. He put up with the noise and clamor as he did his best to hold his patience with all of us and I learned the tenor saxophone from him and the late Mr. Salvatore Antimoro. What I remember most is Mr. Goettsch's saint-like patience with all of us, trying to get quiet from the junior high band by tapping his baton on his music stand. Somehow he got the job done! I'd feel so sorry for him because no one would be silent for him during practice and everyone really disliked having the zero hour practices, coming to the junior high building so early, but we did it anyway. Mr. Goettsch, thank you for your putting up with all of us for so many years and teaching me the tenor saxophone! I dragged that thing around for eight years!!! Craig Vance, Class of 1967"
"Mr. Goettsch......I could never call him anything but MR. He was a wonderful man. Great teacher and when reading his obituary it was perfect. He was a very patient teacher!!! He always made me smile and I loved running into him over the years, always a "Hi" and some wit to pass on to me. Mrs. Goettsch and family: my prayers and hugs to you. So sorry to have missed his memorial. Thoughts to you all. Teresa Lemon Rotschafer "
"Goettsch family, I really am sorry for your loss. I had Mr. Goettsch as my band instructor back in the early 80s. I really enjoyed him as an instructor even though my attitude may not have shown it at times. He was a great teacher and always made me laugh. Jim Tighe-Spencer, IA"
"Dear Mrs Goettsch, I can never thank Dick enough for giving me the spark and opportunity to start my journey teaching and enjoying music. He was the first, as "Mr Goettsch", to put a baton in my hand and direct. He had the insight to know when to hand out praise, or in my case, tough love. He also was the first, as "Dick", to help me view life as a fellow musician with the Al Welsh Band on Saturday nights. The lessons learned in both those classrooms have been a guiding light to this day. Mike Treu Class of 66"
"I did not know Mr. Goettsch but was in high school at Monticello (Iowa) with another Goettsch who also loved music (trombone and vocal), sports and was very intelligent. Since I already had access to that man's family tree back three generations, it wasn't very difficult to compare the family trees. I had to go back to Joachim Wulf Goettsch who was born in Germany in 1834. Those must be very strong genes! My classmate Cecil even looks more than a little like Joachim's picture on Findagrave.org. I'm sorry to never have met Richard. My sympathies to the whole family. "
"Dear Adra Ann and family: My mom was Marian Stuart and I remember the good times you had together. I remember Richard and his gentle smile and his talent for music and teaching. "Blessed Are They That Mourn" Mari Stuart Nolte"
"Those were crisp, red jackets indeed. Wearing them made us feel like musicians, and he knew they would. How special we felt as Junior High students to be part of the Homecoming parade. And how we loved band practice in the fall when we spent our time marching the streets surrounding Washington Central. Years later I came upon the band out practicing on those streets and pulled over to watch and listen -- it was a joyful trip back in time. I think I could use one more summer band lesson, trudging up to the third floor of the Lincoln Building on a hot summer morning. Mr. Goettsch smiled to see us, knowing we hadn't practiced! He patiently taught a generation of Baby Boomers to play and appreciate music. I still love a summer band concert in the park and was always happy to see a few folks I knew in the Karl King Band. To teach is a life well lived - a contribution remembered."
"Adra Ann & family - I am so sorry to hear about Richard. I had the privilege of knowing him as a fellow educator, a parent of four not-so-easy-to-teach band students ("Mr. Goettsch told me I had to learn to READ music. What's with that? Can't I just play the notes?"), listening to him play with the Al Welsh band, a good friend, etc. After hearing sour notes in the band room all day he could still smile and chuckle. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him. "
"Mrs. Goettsch, I am so sorry for your loss. He was a special person and teacher. Dealing with self centered bratty junior high school students takes a remarkable person. Those of us educated in Webster City were very fortunate to have many teachers who, looking back, made such a positive impact on us. He was one of the best. God bless junior high school teachers like Mr. G. John (Mickey) Mikel"
"Mr Goettsch was an incredible teacher (band instructor of mine for 3 years) and such a great man! May he rest in peace and his memory live on in so many of us,forever!"
"So very very sorry to learn this and our hearts are with the family. He was the most favorite and best band teacher, ever"
"I didn't take the opportunity to work with him in junior high, but as I moved in my own world of music - the stories of his patience, care and great sense of humor have influenced me. He was a kind man and will be missed. Thoughts and prayers for his family."
"I give the family my deepest sympathy. He was my band teacher for one year and was my mother teacher as well. "
"God bless you, Mr. Goettsch. I'm sorry to hear about your passing. Thank you for continuing to inspire my love of music and pushing me harder than I could have myself. Now my son has that gene and I hope that we can find someone like you to mentor him on his journey. You've lived a wonderful life, one that you can look back on with pride. God Bless you and your family. "
"My heart goes out to the family of Mr. Goettsch. He was such a wonderful band teacher and the obituary describes him so well. He was so kind and patient. May God bless and give you the strength needed at this sad time. Rest in peace, Mr. Goettsch, until we see you again. "
"Adra, you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers following the loss of Dick. He was a very special band instructor, as I was not the most talented student on the clarinet (my true love was dance). He was always so patient and kind. You two were also wonderful parents to work with when I had Alan in kindergarten at Sunset Heights. You even bought my clarinet for him. Much of my love for music came from my years in band...I thank Dick for sharing his love of music with me and so many others. Vicki (Weissinger) Long Lee's Summit, MO"
"Thoughts and prayers to the family. Richard was a wonderful man. And will be missed by many. Heaven gained a beautiful angel. You will always have a special place in mine n emilees heart. We will miss you. Now your able to play all the music you want with the angels. Play on richard play on.❤"