In Memory
Richard W Goshorn Jr. "Dickie" ,Born 1946-Died 1988. Richard was always ahead of his time. He graduated from South Side at 17 and IU at 20 and passed from this life at 42 of cancer. He lived a full life in his short time on earth. His work as a congressional page for Ross Adair set the stage for his 15 years as a political consultant around the world and his dissalusionment with politics as usual. He traveled the world, but spent the last eight years of his life, off and on, in Colorado creating a board game called Presidential Scramble to try to make sense of our political system. Although politics as usual was over for him, he tried to make a game of it. At the end of his life, his wishes were to be laid at rest on a beautiful hill side overlooking Crested Butte, Colorado (the town he had come to love). As Dick would always say, he wouldn't want to be caught dead in Fort Wayne.
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New Years Eve 1967 Tiajuanna -
Dick Goshorn, Tom Johnson & Susan
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Michael J. Havlin
Dick was one of my oldest and best friends, from Kindergarten through 8th grade at Harrison Hill, South Side and beyond. One of my earliest memories is as a young grade-schooler walking with Dick to the big house on Rudisill Blvd. after school, hanging out, playing games, having fun. I particularly remember Dick’s Mom making fresh-baked cookies for us to enjoy with a glass of milk. It sounds so 50’s and it was! We hung out together a lot in high school, Dick’s parents frequently travelled and his house became “party central” then. Lots of good friends and good times that continued into college when we would congregate there during breaks and summers. After graduating in 1968, Nancy and I were married late that August. I had been accepted for IU’s MBA program that fall, but knowing I would soon be drafted, Nancy got a job teaching at Hanna school in Ft. Wayne and lived with my Mom. I roomed with Tom Johnson in Bloomington and often saw Dick there. During this time and, while I was in the service, Dick and my other friends looked after Nancy. I was drafted in February 1969 and after 4 months of basic and advanced training, I was (fortunately) assigned to Germany. During a 30-day leave before departing, Dick hosted a farewell party. At the end of the evening, Dick presented Nancy with a round-trip airline ticket to NYC and a night at the NY Hilton so that we could enjoy an evening in the city before I left for Germany. There were many people at the party that night but I am quite sure that Dick footed the bill for the trip. That was the kind of friend Dick was, caring, considerate, and generous and I will never forget that. I took my first job in Pittsburgh in 1972 and Dick gave me a call in 1974 saying he would be in town working on the political campaign for Dick Caliguiri, a beloved and respected Mayor of Pittsburgh. We had lunch, caught up, and said our good-byes. Dick moved from Ft. Wayne and I rarely connected with him again. I knew he was continuing to pursue his interest in politics. I was deeply saddened by his premature passing and have thought of him often since. I am a better person for having been blessed with his friendship. You are remembered, old friend, until we meet again.
Dick at Mike and Tom's apartment, Bloomington 1968. Note Dick's signature Rock & Rye bottle on the desk.
Judith A. Rogers (Smith)
Mike, I loved your memories of Dick! He was the best..thanks for sharing..💕
Thomas Roberts
I knew Dick very well at one point in my life. One of my most favorite memories of Dick relates to a road trip I took with Dick and his Mother and sister to Winter Park to ski. My best guess is that was in 1963 or 64. I left Ft Wayne after that and ended up at Georgetown and Dick drove out there several times and stayed with me. I do not recall what the was doing on these trips but he drove a Datsun sports car out to Washington at one point and couple of times left in my care when he returned to Ft Wayne. In my Senior year at Georgetown he roomed with us for a semester. During these "visits" Dick was given the nick name "Willie" and that his how he was known around the Georgetown campus. He was a good guy and I have many nice memories of our friendship. I graduated and went to law School and Dick left DC (I believe he returned to FT Wayne). I lost track of him then but somehow learned that he had died of cancer well after it happened. By then I was living and working in NYC. It is an interesting, but sad, coincidence that Sarah Shaffer attended Mt Vernon Junior College during some of the time when Dick was visiting and she returned to Ft Wayne and as i understand it also I died of cancer at a very young age. I do not recall any specifics, but I spent a lot of time with her when she was in DC and cannot imagine Dick and did not do things with her when he was there. I appreciate the time and thought that you spent reminding those of who were close to Dick what a good and very interesting man he was. You were and are truly a good friend to him.
Charles E. Golden
Mike, thanks for remembering Dick. I well recall that big home on Rudisell Blvd. I first met Dick after coming to Harrison Hill from Indian Village. Tom Meyers and I hung with him through the parties at that house in high school and often went "drifting" on Westover Road. Dick was a fantastic guy and super witty and always curious. A good friend indeed, and as you said, we are all better off having made his friendship. Again, thannks for remembering.
Thomas F. Johnson
Mike,
While living in Dayton, OH, I received an invitation to attend a fundraising event for Ted Kennedy to be held at the home of Ethel Kennedy, Hickory Hill, VA. I did not respond as I thought it was a joke. Willie called me the next day and said "why didn't you come?" I responded with "i would have had I known how I received the invitation".
Good times on Lake James on the wooden relic of a boat that his father received in lieu of legal fees.
Memories of times at IU with Dick and Skip.
I believe his mother Helen is still with us at 100 + years.
I miss him a lot,
Thanks, Jake.
Tom Johnson