Chris J. Goecke

Chris always described himself as being "a mechanic by birth, a machinist by trade, and a salesman by nature."

He successfully started his own business, Doctor Digital, Inc. where he was an exclusive dealer in the state of Indiana for Teledyne Gurley company in New York.

He loved to make people laugh with his sense of humor. If he was in an unfortunate situation, he saw it as an opportunity to make a joke.

Chris was always trying to invent the next big thing and his mind was constantly working to make a difficult task safer and easier. 

His creative side led him to craft unique items that made people smile. When he was in treatment for his illness, he and Sarah would make butterflies that they gave to others who were receiving treatment at the same time. He loved how people lit up with such a simple gesture. 

Chris LOVED to talk. Sarah will tell you he started talking the minute he woke up until he fell asleep at night. He kept in constant contact with friends from high school, fellow go-cart racers, co-workers, extended family members and everyone he cared about. When he called, you knew it would be an hour on the phone with him, telling stories, some new and some old.

Chris was an eternal optimist, if you saw something gray and gloomy, he saw rainbows and butterflies. If you saw a stranger, he saw a potential friend. If you saw a task that you deemed impossible, he saw a challenge and a way to engineer something better.

When Chris was first diagnosed with cancer, we saw a horrible illness for which there was no known cure. He remained so positive all the time, even after the doctor said there was nothing more that could be done.

He had a list of things on his bucket list, that he wanted to do, such as play a round of golf at the Brickyard, go to the National Drags with his brother on Sept 1st, golfing in Iowa with Bob Bain (and beat Pam at golf), attend the races at the Eldora Speedway in Ohio on Oct 23rd and make it home to his slice of heaven on earth in Florida, to fish off his dock and celebrate his 40th wedding anniversary on Sept 10th. He achieved most of these events and the others were so close to being completed.

Chris loved the simple life, took pride in "making do" with the things he had, taking time to fish, making a phone call, and loving his wife and family. He said that his idea of success is being content with what he had and all he had accomplished in his life.

Now, our phones will be eerily silent. Our hearts will always ache and wish we had more time with Chris.

He would want us to remain positive, enjoy every minute of our lives and that we all achieve success, just as he had. 

So, remember to call someone, let them know you care. Tell your stories and listen to others tell theirs and Love with all of your heart!

Chris is survived by his wife Sarah (Caldwell), his parents Jim and Marge Goecke, his sister Angela and husband Tom Walker, his brothers Jeff Goecke and Steve (Pam Powell) Goecke, and all of the nieces and nephews.