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Melvin Richard “Dick” Goetsch

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Birth	:	5 Aug 1922 Brule County, South Dakota, USA
Death	:	12 Jun 2017 South Dakota, USA
Burial	:	Riverview Cemetery, Chamberlain, Brule County, USA
Coordinate	:	43.7874985, -99.3317032
Description	:	Melvin Richard "Dick" Goetsch was born to Richard and Meta (Fascher) Goetsch on August 5, 1922 on the family farm south of Chamberlain where he also spent most of his life. He graduated from Chamberlain High School in 1939. From 1940-1941, Dick worked with the CCC at Camp Lodge which is presently the Black Hills Playhouse. Dick joined the U.S. Army in November of 1942 where he served as a radio operator. He was a marksman in rifle and carbine, 1st class Gunner and a submachine gun expert. He served stateside before being honorably discharged in December of 1944. He returned... Read More	Melvin Richard "Dick" Goetsch was born to Richard and Meta (Fascher) Goetsch on August 5, 1922 on the family farm south of Chamberlain where he also spent most of his life. He graduated from Chamberlain High School in 1939. From 1940-1941, Dick worked with the CCC at Camp Lodge which is presently the Black Hills Playhouse. Dick joined the U.S. Army in November of 1942 where he served as a radio operator. He was a marksman in rifle and carbine, 1st class Gunner and a submachine gun expert. He served stateside before being honorably discharged in December of 1944. He returned to the farm until retiring from active farming at the age of 70 years. Dick was united in marriage to (Laura) Joan Dobberstein on May 24, 1948 in Chamberlain, SD. He and Joan continued to live on the farm until Dick entered Sanford Care Center in September 2016. Dick was an avid hunter and fisherman. He also loved golfing and was often out on the course through the age of 93. He had a lifetime love of baseball. In 1994, when Dick was inducted into the Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame, he said, "My mother came from Elkader, IA so we moved there in the thirties to keep from starving. Iowa already had high school baseball so I learned and loved the game. They had Legion Baseball but I had to go to my Grandparents farm and milk cows. Bob Feller was in school in Van Meter, IA. In 1937, we moved back to Chamberlain, SD, but there wasn't any baseball in high school. There wasn't any Legion Baseball either at the time so I played on the city amateur team. I was 17 years old and the other team members were older guys. I was soon playing center field and batting in the clean-spot. I went to some state tournaments with Chamberlain and Kimball. After WWII, baseball was pretty dead but I wanted to play ball so cleaned up the old diamond on the American Island and started to look for anyone interested in playing. I went down the street begging for money for baseball equipment. I was managing and playing and farming, got pretty busy. We picked up players and soon had a reputation to play anyone. We chose the name "Chamberlain Chiefs". We played the Omaha Rockets, the Kansas City Monarchs, and The House of David with Sachel Page, who was getting old. Other towns started getting teams and eventually we became "The Basin League", playing 3 to 4 games a week. I played with Chamberlain, Pukwana, Kimball, and White Lake. I went to a Yankee tryout camp at Huron, SD. I was offered a go at Triple "A" baseball. I was getting started farming so passed it up. After retiring from playing I managed the local amateur team for a few years. " Dick was a lifelong member of the Zion Lutheran Church where he held several offices and was one of the oldest continuous members. He also served on the Township Board and County Commission. Dick was an active member of the American Legion Potter Post No. 3 in Chamberlain for over 70 continuous years. During that time he served as commander, adjutant, and as a member of the Color Guard. Dick passed away at Sanford Care Center in Chamberlain with family by his side at the age of 94 years. Gratefully sharing his life are his wife Joan of 69 years; three children Terry (Sandy) Goetsch of Sioux Falls, Myra (Jerry) Duba of Rapid City, and Marty Goetsch of Sioux Falls; seven grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death were his parents Richard and Meta; and two sisters and brothers-in-law Evelyn (Robert) Schooler and Leola (Joe) Burull. From the Hickey Funeral Home

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Melvin Richard “Dick” Goetsch's memorial?
Melvin Richard “Dick” Goetsch's memorial is located at: Riverview Cemetery, Chamberlain, Brule County, USA.
When did Melvin Richard “Dick” Goetsch death?
Melvin Richard “Dick” Goetsch death on 12 Jun 2017 in South Dakota, USA
Where are the coordinates of the Melvin Richard “Dick” Goetsch's memorial?
Latitude: 43.7874985
Longitude: -99.3317032

Family Members:

Parent

Richard W. Goetsch

(1897 - 1995)

Meta Fascher Goetsch

(1897 - 1997)

Spouse

Laura Joan Dobberstein Goetsch

(1928 - 2021)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Riverview Cemetery
Chamberlain, Brule County, USA
Coordinate: 43.7874985, -99.3317032

2. Graceland Cemetery
Oacoma, Lyman County, USA
Coordinate: 43.8040000, -99.3940000

3. Moeller Cemetery
Oacoma, Lyman County, USA
Coordinate: 43.8169800, -99.3979500

4. Community Cemetery
Pukwana, Brule County, USA
Coordinate: 43.7742004, -99.1919022

5. Saint Anthony Cemetery
Pukwana, Brule County, USA
Coordinate: 43.7742004, -99.1911011

6. Norwegian Cemetery
Pukwana, Brule County, USA
Coordinate: 43.8158300, -99.1942850

7. Red Lake Lutheran Cemetery
Pukwana, Brule County, USA
Coordinate: 43.7015130, -99.1698930

8. Grandview Cemetery
Chamberlain, Brule County, USA
Coordinate: 43.6431007, -99.2897034

9. Saint Albans Episcopal Cemetery
Lower Brule, Lyman County, USA
Coordinate: 43.9501800, -99.3837100

10. Amunid Emmanual Lutheran Cemetery
Ola, Brule County, USA
Coordinate: 43.6163100, -99.2317600

11. Saint John The Baptist Cemetery
Buffalo County, USA
Coordinate: 43.9688114, -99.2695074

12. Fort Hale Post Cemetery
Lyman County, USA
Coordinate: 43.9758250, -99.3642700

13. Crow Creek Cemetery
Crow Creek, Buffalo County, USA
Coordinate: 43.9583015, -99.2118988

14. German Lutheran Cemetery
Brule County, USA
Coordinate: 43.6157990, -99.2144012

15. Saint Procopius Cemetery
Pukwana, Brule County, USA
Coordinate: 43.6435200, -99.1550700

16. Bairey Cemetery
Ola, Brule County, USA
Coordinate: 43.6091900, -99.2070100

17. Swedish Lutheran Cemetery
Brule County, USA
Coordinate: 43.5861015, -99.2099991

18. Reliance Cemetery
Reliance, Lyman County, USA
Coordinate: 43.8918991, -99.6042023

19. Saint Marys Catholic Cemetery
Reliance, Lyman County, USA
Coordinate: 43.8931007, -99.6046982

20. Vega Cemetery
Kimball, Brule County, USA
Coordinate: 43.9207993, -99.0783005

21. Bohemian Protestant Cemetery
Brule County, USA
Coordinate: 43.6437150, -99.0809730

22. Iona Cemetery
Lyman County, USA
Coordinate: 43.5614014, -99.4049988

23. National Cemetery
Brule County, USA
Coordinate: 43.6150017, -99.0785980

24. Saint Columba Catholic Cemetery
Iona, Lyman County, USA
Coordinate: 43.5433900, -99.4230800