Brian Goetz
May 18, 1955 - April 16, 2010

I remember......
I first met Brian when I came to Sioux City in 1989.  I was working for the Symphony and he was working for his Dad at Perkins Stationary, then located on Pierce Street.  He would stop in and chat every once in a while to ask how things were going, and how his employees were treating us.  I know I liked him because he always told the truth and he always looked me in the eye when he talked.  I don't remember signing many papers with him- a firm handshake always sealed the deal.

I remember once when we upgraded our office and bought a bunch of office equipment from him.  He showed up at 8:00 (we didn't open until 9:00) and had everything we ordered sitting in the hallway.  For the next two days, he spent every minute in our office putting things together and dragging things around until everything was the way we wanted.  I remarked once that the "boss's son" should not be doing this dirty work.  He just looked at me and said that it had to be done.  And so it was.

Another time I showed him my desk drawer and said that I wanted a hanging file to fit the drawer.  He took the measurements, but could not find one in stock to fit it.  So, he made one!  He showed up carrying this crazy looking thing and said, "Open your damn drawer Luebke.  I made you a hanging file."  I would have felt special, but realized that he would have done this for many of his clients.  That's just the type of person he was.

When I started Rockestra, he came to one of the first shows.  The next day, he called me and said, "This is a great thing for Sioux City.  Pretty soon you will be selling out.  Let's meet at BA's and have a beer."  And, so we did.  And, Perkins- now Perkins Office Solutions- has been a sponsor ever since.  And Brian, was one of our biggest fans.

I feel sad and terrible that he was taken from us at such a young age.  But just from knowing Brian, and having many beers with him, I am happy that he led such a vibrant and full life.  He often told me of his cars, his travels, and the concerts he went to.  I truly believe that he lived more in his short life than many people who live to be much older.  He was one of a kind.  He was special, and I join the many of his friends and family who will miss him.

John Luebke