Foundation, Fundraiser Honor Legacy of Fallen Apple Valley Soldier

The people who knew Apple Valley High School graduate Chris Goeke knew him as a leader, and as someone who always embodied “leading by example.” 

With that in mind, leadership is what Goeke's parents, Pam Shultz and Randy Goeke, hoped to foster in other high school students when they created the Christopher Goeke Leadership Foundation in his memory, after U.S. Army 1st Lt. Goeke, 23, was killed in action in Afghanistan last July while leading a platoon of the 4th Brigade of the 82nd Airborne Division.

This Memorial Day weekend will mark the foundation's , to raise money for college scholarships and introduce the foundation’s mission to the community.

Its first scholarship was presented to student Patrick Hlas last week; part of the application process called for students to write an essay defining what being a leader meant to them.

“Our mission is to support, encourage and train young leaders in the mind, body and spirit,” Shultz said. “[Chris] loved theology and philosophy, was a very bright student and was physically fit, so we wanted to develop a purpose that really reflected who he was, what he accomplished and what he aspired to be.”

Shultz said about 30 people have helped plan the event since August.

“He was known and loved by a lot of people and that’s why this has been successful,” said Randy Goeke about the impact Chris, a West Point Military Academy graduate, had on the community. “It’s not us, it’s him. We want to keep his leadership legacy alive.” 

The foundation’s weekend event will include a Saturday family fun day and Saturday and Sunday ultimate Frisbee tournament at in Apple Valley, and a fundraiser reception on Saturday night at the .

The idea for the ultimate Frisbee tournament came from Goeke’s love for the sport. He was captain of an intramural team in high school and even introduced the sport to his platoon in Afghanistan.

This weekend’s tournament will feature seven high school teams, including the Apple Valley team coached by one of Goeke’s friends from high school. The ceremonial first Frisbee thrown will be one Goeke had in Afghanistan.

A field at the park will be reserved for pick-up games, so the community can put together casual teams and have the chance to play.

Dan Steffes, one of Goeke’s close friends, classmates and teammates, has been involved in the foundation’s marketing committee. For him, the event is about remembrance.

“We loved playing Frisbee with him and know how much he loved it, so the tournament is a great way to pay tribute to that,” Steffes said. “[The fundraiser] will give us a chance to get together and reminisce about Chris. The way he lived his life was really special. He was very instrumental about helping people live their lives better and we don’t want people to forget about him.”

Shultz said she expects many of Goeke’s friends and family at the event, including former platoon soldiers, fellow West Point graduates and Goeke’s wife, Kelsey, and her family. 

Shultz said she hopes the foundation eventually will be able to schedule demonstrated leaders to speak to high school students; there’s also potential for curriculum and workshops, she said. 

“I feel like this is a way to make something positive come out of something that was a tragedy,” Shultz said.

If You Go:

2011 Christopher Goeke Leadership Foundation Event

• Ultimate Frisbee tournament - 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Johnny Cake Ridge Park, Apple Valley
• Family fun day - 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Johnny Cake Ridge Park, Apple Valley
• Reception and fundraiser - 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, Grandstay Hotel, Apple Valley; tickets $30

Come back to Apple Valley Patch for photos from some of this weekend's events.