Steve spent his childhood years living in the Central Texas countryside. He was one of 15 kids (yes, you read that correctly), born to Fred and Mary Goertz, who both preceded him in death. His childhood was spent attending school at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, then running into the sand hills with his siblings.

Steve was a bright guy, a beautiful mind of sorts. After he graduated high school, he went to work in Austin until he tested for employment with the Federal Aviation Administration. The FAA sent him to training in air traffic control, where he fostered a love of all things aviation. He put himself through college at Prairie View A&M while working shift work until he worked his way up the ranks into management. During his tenure, he met Willie Hice - who would become his best friend of 40 years. By the end of his career, he'd spent 4 decades at the Houston ARTCC where he had many accomplishments, including his work on the redesign of the Southwest Texas Gulf Coast national air space system.  So, when you look up into the sky, maybe you'll think of Steve.

Even though Steve was such a technical, mathematically trained mind, he was also a lover of good storytelling. He loved a good book, but he loved a good song even better. His kids would tell you that Tom T. Hall, George Jones, Bobby Bare, Merle Haggard, Steve Earle and Lyle Lovett were the soundtracks of their lives as they took trips down country roads to see family and the Texas Countryside. Whether it be books or songs, he loved the idea that we could live in a state of learning throughout our whole lives.

What you really need to know is that Steve was someone who appreciated life and exemplified kindness. He worked 8-10 hour days, but he still found time to throw ball with his kids and coach their sports teams. He loved to feel inspired by music, golf, or a sunset on the fairway. He taught his kids to be "firm, fair, and friendly," while also instilling the "broken record technique," when a tough message needed to be delivered. But no matter what, Steve was certain to make sure you knew you were loved.

Steve is survived by a loving family, starting with his wife Barbara, with whom he shared 55.5 loving years. She was also his primary caregiver during his battle with brain cancer, devoted night and day to his every need. Steve is also survived by his 4 children and grandchildren: Shannon Goertz (and grandkids Austin, Jenna, and Samantha); Monte Goertz (and his wife, Melissa, and grandkids Mathis and Madden); Jolie Lisenby (and her husband, Brian, and grandchild Brinnley), and Wade Goertz (and his wife, Callie, and grandchild Evelyn). And he is also survived by siblings: Rose Parris, Joy Goertz, Robert Goertz, John Goertz, Annie Harris, Dan Gertz and Sandra Higgins.

I'd say in lieu of flowers, donate to MD Anderson, where Steve spent more than a decade fighting off two different types of cancer. But he loved flowers, so send them if you wish!

That being said, Steve would've wanted a special thanks to be shown to Dr. Diab, Dr. Prabhu, and Dr. Harrison, along with his entire associated care team at MD Anderson.  Steve always knew his journey would end with cancer, but this fine group of people mentioned above afforded him TIME. And an extra special thanks to Melissa and Joey Sullivan, who assisted Steve's wife with in-home caregiving services until cancer made it impossible.

Services will be Friday, March 11, 2022, at 10:30 AM at Prince of Peace Catholic Church in the Mary Chapel.