Issue link: http://www.wacmagazine.com/i/84869
Remembrance By Steve Pool, KOMO News Weatherman and WAC Member Remembering Kathi Goertzen KOMO News anchor and WAC member Kathi Goertzen died this past August after a 14-year battle with brain tumors. She was a 30-plus-year WAC member and is survived by her husband, Rick Jewett; two daughters, Alexa Jarvis and Andrea Jewett; her mother and father, Irma and Don Goertzen; and three sisters. Kathi Goertzen was 54. Fellow WAC member, friend and co-worker Steve Pool recalls her grace, strength and character. O Steve Pool n the day Kathi Goertzen passed away, my mind was a jumble of shock, grief and disbelief. At that time, I sat down and wrote about our 30-year friendship and what Kathi meant to me and to this community. What follows is my tribute to her and all that she stood for: A piece of the fabric of my life is gone. Even though I'm putting this in words, they can in no way come close to expressing the depth of the loss of one of my best friends. But Kathi Goertzen was more than just a friend and co-worker. When you work with someone for that long, sitting just six feet apart, you become a lot more than that. at KOMO. We literally grew up together at the station, and we both became anchors. During that time we each got married, had families, and watched our children grow into strong and principled individuals. We both began as production assistants and that amazing air of class and confidence she always exuded. I remember the fun we had on set when she and I would battle it out over who was better, the Huskies or the Cougars. I remember the 20-plus years of hosting the telethon for Seattle Children's hospital and the way we knew each other so well that we could complete each other's sentences. And she was so good—one the best I've ever seen anchoring the news. I was able to see her just before she passed away. I was thankful to be able to hold her hand and tell her what she means to me. And I must admit I broke down. My left brain tells me that someday I will learn to live with this. But honestly, right now, I don't know how and I don't know when. I do know that I will never forget one of the most remarkable people I have ever known. We are all better for having had Kathi Goertzen in More than that, as an anchor team with Dan Lewis and Eric Johnson, we all came to be the best of friends. So much so that we often took vacations together and spent time just having fun and enjoying each other's company. We realized that what we had was something special. And she was the glue that held us all together. I remember her wit as well as her wisdom and intelligence, our lives. A televised version of this remembrance was read on the air and published online by KOMO News. The Kathi Goertzen Foundation, started in 2011, works to battle brain tumors. "My hope is that someday we're going to find a cure," Kathi said. "I know it's around the corner." The foundation supports research into the causes and possible cures of brain tumors. Learn more at kathigoertzen.com or donate at kathigf.ejoinme.org. 12 | Washington Athletic Club Magazine | OCTOBER 2012