Russell G. Goetz 1945-2025

Russ was born in Chicago but lived with his parents and two older brothers on a farm in Belvedere, Illinois.

Although a farm boy at heart throughout his life, Russ developed his naturally gifted mechanical abilities. He started his early career as a tool and die maker at a shop in Rockford, Illinois. In 1967, as a young man, he enlisted in the Army and served in the Vietnam War with 196 196th Light Infantry Brigade. Following his honorable discharge, he attended California State University, Los Angeles, to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering, impressing all his professors throughout his studies. During his studies and for the next 40+ years, Russ worked as an Aerospace Engineer for Mason Electric, which was later acquired by Esterline Technologies, an aerospace corporation based in Southern California. Russ was instrumental in working on the F15, FA 18, AV8, Apache helicopter, DC 3, submarine launch missile controllers, just to name a few. He was promoted within the company throughout his tenure and concluded his long career as VP of Manufacturing for the corporation. Leaving their long time Altadena home Russ and Eva moved to Hayden, Idaho, in 2021 and enjoyed their new life, surrounded by many dear friends and with proximity to their nephew, Trevor, and his wife, Lindsay.

Russ and Eva’s only son precedes him in death. He is survived by Eva, his older brother Richard in Michigan, and numerous loving extended family members in California, Illinois, Indiana, and Trevor and Lindsay in Sandpoint.

Services were at the Hayden Yates Funeral Home on Friday, June 6. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Russell’s name to American Legion – Steven H. Nipp Post 143 in Post Falls, pfp143.org. And or to the Wounded Warrior Project support.woundedwarriorprojct.org.