Peter W. Goering Jr.
Peter W. Goering Jr., 60, of
Topeka, passed away Saturday (Feb. 7, 2009) at home with his family after a
courageous two-year battle with lung cancer. He was born to Peter and Mary
(Henderson) Goering on Sept. 23, 1948, in Goessel. Pete was in the last
graduating class of Lehigh High School. He attended Bethel College in North
Newton for two years before transferring to Kansas State University. He
graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in journalism in 1970. He began his career
working at the Menninger Foundation for two years before accepting a job as a
sportswriter for The Topeka Capital-Journal in 1973. He covered college sports
for many years before being named assistant sports editor in 1981. In 1990, he
became sports editor, a position he held until being named managing editor in
1996.
During his time in sports,
Pete was named Kansas Sportswriter of the Year five times. He served as the
Capital Journal's executive editor, continuing to write his sports and news
column until his health declined, leading to his retirement in September 2008.
He received the Clyde M. Reed Jr. Master Editor Award from the Kansas Press
Association in April 2008 for lifetime achievement in the newspaper industry.
Goering is survived by his wife
of 30 years, Diane; two daughters, Debbie Redd and husband, Ryan, of Topeka,
and Elizabeth Goering of Topeka; one son, Brett Goering of Dana Point, Calif.;
two grandsons, Quinton and Boman Redd of Topeka; and two sisters, Deanne
Duerksen of Hillsboro and twin sister Peggy Goering-Kuck of Pacific Grove,
Calif.
Visitation will be from 5 to
7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Christ the King Catholic Church in Topeka, followed by a
prayer service at 7:30 p.m.
A Christian funeral service
will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the church. Burial will follow at
Mount Calvary Cemetery in Topeka.
In lieu of flowers, the
family requests memorial contributions to Washburn Athletic Department and
Christ the King Catholic Church sent in care of Kevin Brennan Family Funeral
Home, 2801 S.W. Urish Road, Topeka, KS 66614.
Online condolences may be
sent to www.kevinbrennanfamily.com.
