Christian John Goetschel

Christian John Goetschel Christian John Goetschel, 50, of Round Rock, Texas, died suddenly Friday, April 10 in Round Rock. He was born to Dr. John C. and Marlene Goetschel on June 13, 1958 in Woodstock, Illinois. He graduated from McHenry West High School in 1976. After serving in the U. S. Air Force for 4 years, he went on to obtain a BS in Physics, Northern Illinois University; a BS in Electrical Engineering, University of Illinois; a Masters of Electrical Engineering, University of Vermont and a MBA, St. Thomas University, St. Paul, MN. Chris was employed by IBM beginning in 1985 as a micro-circuit designer. He worked in various positions in Burlington, VT, Rochester, MN and Austin, TX. His final position was Vice President for Power Systems and Storage Systems Development. His impact on IBM was significant, leaving behind a long-lasting legacy in IBM products and through his impact on the IBM employees he worked with and mentored. Chris married Mary Lisa (Douglas) Goetschel in Spearfish, SD in 1987. They had two sons, John and Peter. Survivors in addition to his wife and sons include mother, Marlene Goetschel of Johnsburg, IL; sister, Mary Culver; and three nephews, Sean Cavanaugh, David Culver and Clayton Culver of Mukwonago, WI; mother-in-law, Shirley Douglas of Spearfish, SD; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Susan (Douglas) and Loren Steenson; and two nieces, Sarah and Rachel Steenson of Omaha, NE; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. He was preceded in death by his father, Dr. John C. Goetschel and his father-in-law, Henry C. Douglas. Chris will be greatly missed and remembered for his zest for life and his ability to pack three lifetimes into one. He had a heart for service as shown by his extensive involvement with his church, St. John Vianney Catholic Church of Round Rock, where he volunteered in positions of Bible Study leader, RCIA instructor and Pastoral Council member. He participated in Marriage Encounter, Christ Renews His Parish and the Knights of Columbus. Chris served the Boy Scouts of America Troop 157 in many positions including Scout Master. Other organizations where he was a member included the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) and the Austin Cycling Association. Chris' passion was his love for his family which he demonstrated during family camping trips, playing tennis with his sons, family game nights and travel including skiing trips, scuba diving and European sight seeing. He was a voracious reader of all topics, but most notably scriptures and theology. In addition to all of his other activities, he always had time for being with and assisting his many friends. Services were at St. John Vianney Catholic Church of Round Rock on April 15, 2009. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Scholarship Fund for John and Peter Goetschel, c/o Angela Andrews, Amplify Credit Union, 4500 E. Palm Valley, Suite 136, Round Rock, TX 78665 or the Divine Mercy Prayer Center, P O Box 80193, Austin, TX 78708.