Love Is Friendship

"It is not so much our friends' help that helps us, as the confidence of their help." -Epicurus

Uncle Richard and Aunt Dot, that is how we knew these people. They became friends with my parents when both young couples were living in Empire City. A small neighborhood on the south side of Fremont, Nebraska. For so many years I tried to figure out the connection. Was Uncle Richard my Dad's brother or was Aunt Dot my mother's sister?

Yet they were simply great friends that lasted for over 60 years. Just recently Aunt Dot passed away. Only my father remains of the four people that held friendship so close for so many years.

There are many family stories one could tell of these fine people and their great friendship with my parents. It is suffice to say that the friendship lasted through anything and everything. It is love, unselfish, non-judgemental and self-sacrificing that sustains a friendship for that many years.

So I will simply write the story of each, my Uncle Richard and my Aunt Dot. May their reunited souls be singing and dancing upon the streets of their heaven.

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Uncle Richard (Richard Goeglein), passed away on September 17, 2007. He was born in Lincoln, Nebraska on February 1, 1923 to Harry A. and Elsie (Koch) Goeglein. In 1954, he married Theidate 'Dot' Coufal. Before that happened though, he had entered the U. S. Army Air Force and spent three years in Galapagos Island as a radar technician during World War II.

Upon his return from the war, he attended the University of Nebraska where he received his master's degree and earned three varsity letters in football. Uncle Richard helped the 1950 Cornhuskers coached by Bill Glassford to a 6-2-1 overall record and a No. 17 final national ranking. It marked Nebraska's first winning season in a decade.

Following his graduation and marriage to Aunt Dot, he taught and coached in the Fremont Public Schools for five years. He then returned to Lincoln to coach wrestling at Southeast High School. One of his proudest accomplishments was to spread the wrestling program throughout the State of Nebraska. He was inducted into the Nebraska Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1993. He taught science at Pound Junior High and retired from teaching in 1985.

Uncle Richard was great to have around. I can still see him standing proud guiding his pontoon boat across the lake.

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Aunt Dot, (E. Theidate (Datie, Dot) Goeglein) made it to the grand age of 91. She passed away on January 30, 2012 at The Monarch Hospice in Lincoln. Aunt Dot was born August 30, 1920, the middle daughter of Charles R. (Carl) and Constance (Abbott) Bush's five children.

Her childhood was spent on a farm near Republican City (Nebraska) and graduated from Republican City High School in 1937. After receiving a teaching degree from Kearney State College, Datie taught at several different schools in the rural are around Republican City.

She was married to Uncle Richard on May 29, 1954. She then worked for many years as a receptionist/bookkeeper for Dr. Place in Northeast Lincoln. After retirement, she and Dick enjoyed camping and spending their summers at Michigan lakes with relatives. They also enjoyed Husker football games for many years and were faithful, longtime member of Faith Lutheran Church.

There are many stories of her keeping Uncle Richard in line when we'd visit them on the lake. Or as Uncle Richard cruised down the interstate highway pulling the camper AND the pontoon boat. As sweet of a woman could be to us kids, she could have easily been our own mother.

If you are interested in sending a memorial, suggestions to the Nebraska Stroke Foundation, Lincoln Food Bank, or Faith Lutheran Church are in order.

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The circle of life that begins at our birth and transitions upon death remains unbroken. It simply changes, it remains in the memories and hearts of everyone that carry on with life. Aunt Dot and Uncle Richard will remain a fond and cherished part of my memories until we meet again.

Stay inspired through out your life my friends.