HOOD RIVER, Ore. -- A Hood River native was killed in Afghanistan Monday. Capt. Dale Goetz was the first army chaplain to die in action since October 1970.
Goetz grew up in Hood River and attended high school at the Baptist Christian School. "He came in as a junior in high school and he was a tall guy and liked sports," said Oscar Stenberg, who was principal at the time.
Goetz went on to attend bible school in Wisconsin and the seminary in Minnesota. In 2000 he joined the army as a chaplain. "His faith meant a lot to him," said Stenberg.
Goetz served 11 months in Iraq several years ago, but on Monday in Afghanistan, during his second tour of duty, tragedy struck. Goetz was helping some soldiers whose Humvee was hit by an IED when he and four other soldiers were killed by an improvised bomb. Stenberg got the news Tuesday morning.
"I just cried," said Stenberg. "He was a real special young man."
Stenberg cannot help but recall his final contact with Goetz, an email just three weeks ago.
"He said to pray for his family," added Stenberg.
Stenberg did what he was asked, but he never could have imagined death was on the horizon for the man he once mentored.
"He really did live for God and he lived with purpose," said Goetz. "And his purpose came to an end Monday morning."
Goetz was survived by his wife and three young sons. They live in Colorado.
