Editor’s note: Former Newport Mayor Steve H. Goetz Sr., 73, of Cold Spring, passed away in October at St. Elizabeth Health Care in Edgewood. Steve was a retired Director of Materials Management with Shriners Hospital in Cincinnati, the former Mayor of Newport, and a member of the Shriners and the Royal Order of the Jesters. Steve had a BS Degree from Whiskey University and was an Adjunct Master Bourbon Taster. He was also a member of the band “Three Old Guys With Guitars.” Ken Rechtin was his friend and gathered with Steve and others for “Newport Has Beans Lunch.” This is Rechtin’s remembrance of Steve, yet another of the lunch group to leave the group behind.
Eighteen years of elected public service to the City of Newport does not define Steve Goetz.
Did you know him:
Steve Goetz
As a Shriner?
As a K of C Squire?
As the lifeguard at Camp Marydale?
Officiating a wedding?
Lecturing on Bourbon tasting?
As Santa Claus?
Playing guitar at Sis’s, Village Pizza or….?
Teaching Swimming, water safety/lifeguarding?
As Newport City Commissioner or Mayor?
As the son of Pete and Betty Lou?
As a brother of Tom, Dan, and Connie?
As a husband? As a father, as a friend?
As a trusted confidant?
As a purchaser for Shriner’s Hospital?
As an advisor?
Do you remember his smile?
Do you remember the sly witticisms?
Do you remember how he arched his one eyebrow when he questioned?
Did you receive his criticism without immediately realizing it?
Do you remember when he dreamed? Or, how he led towards those goals?
Do you remember how he defended truth and worked towards a better community?
Remember when he challenged your thoughts? Challenged the status quo?
It doesn’t matter what or how you remember.
It is our memories of Steve that will bless us.
And, for those memories, we who knew him will be forever grateful.
Ken Rechtin is a Newport city commissioner and a former member of the Campbell County Fiscal Court.
