Steve Pool: A piece of the fabric of my life is gone

By Published: Aug 13, 2012 at 3:55 PM PDT Last Updated: Aug 13, 2012 at 5:51 PM PDT
Steve Pool: A piece of the fabric of my life is gone »Play Video
Today a piece of the fabric of my life is gone. Even though I’m putting this in words they can in no way come close to expressing the depth of the loss of one of my best friends, Kathi Goertzen. But she is more than just a friend and co-worker. When you have worked with someone for 30 years sitting just 6 feet apart you become a lot more than that.

We both began as production assistants at KOMO. We literally grew up together at the station and we both progressed to become anchors. Throughout that time we each got married, had families and watched our children grow into strong and principled individuals.

More than that, as an anchor team with Dan Lewis and Eric Johnson, we all came to be the best of friends. So much so that we often took vacations and retreats together and spent time just having fun and enjoying each other’s company. We realized that what we had was something special, for an anchor team to be that close. And she was the glue that held us all together.

I remember her wit as well as her wisdom and intelligence, and that amazing air of class and confidence that she always exuded. I remember the fun we had on set when she and I would battle it out over who was better, the Huskies or the Cougars.

I remember the 20 plus years of hosting the telethon for Seattle Children’s Hospital and the way we knew each other so well that we could complete each other’s sentences. And she was so good, one the best I’ve ever seen anchoring the news.

I was able to her see today before she passed away. I was so thankful to be able to hold her hand and tell her what she means to me. And I must admit I broke down. My left brain tells me that someday I will learn to live with this but honestly right now I don’t know how and I don’t know when. I do know that I will never forget one of the most remarkable people I have ever known. And we are all better for having had Kathi Goertzen in our lives.