Daniel L. Van Goethem

Daniel Louis Van Goethem, 71, of Kansas City, Kansas, passed away peacefully at home and surrounded by loved ones on December 21, 2023. A husband, daddy, grandpa, son, brother, cousin, brother-in-law, favorite uncle, and friend, Dan was the most honest, loving, sincere person we knew. He enjoyed good times, great friends, fast cars, funny jokes, loud motorcycles, fabulous food, and so many grand adventures. The stories never end when the sentence begins with, “I was thinking about the time when…” Dan was born in Rosedale, Kansas to Robert and Donna (Smith) Van Goethem. His family lived in the Rosedale community for many years, and Dan attended elementary school at Frank Rushton. Later, they moved to Overland Park, KS. Dan participated in Boy Scouts, basketball, and baseball for several years. He also learned to play guitar and "enjoyed" several years of accordion lessons. He excelled at sports, with a throwing arm that was a force to be reckoned with, as was his ability to slide into any base, especially making the second and third basemen nervous. He did play football for one year in junior high but found that a tall, skinny guy had little padding needed for that sport. Fishing and hunting were favorite activities, but easily replaced with the magic of working on his favorite vehicles. First, he owned a ’64 Buick Skylark and then a ’69 Plymouth Barracuda fastback, which he drove in an official drag race, winning a first-place trophy. Many will say that Dan might have been involved in other drag races along old Metcalf, where he and his buddies set up their own quarter-mile strip. No trophies, but much fun! Dan would eventually own his favorite, a ’67 Pontiac GTO. He enjoyed showing it at several car shows, as well as the compliments from fellow car enthusiasts. Dan and his future wife met through mutual friends from Dan's KCK days on January 19, 1970 at King’s Food Host, a popular spot for teenagers to hang out after school events. Their first date was on Feb 14, 1970… one thing led to another, and they were married May 26, 1973. After graduating from Shawnee Mission West High School in 1970, Dan earned a degree in Wildlife Biology from Kansas State University in 1974. Hoping to put that degree to use, Dan applied to 17 state wildlife/forestry programs. Upon discovering there wouldn’t be an opening for five years, he pursued a career in scientific research at KU Medical Center and fulfilled his love for the outdoors and wildlife through those hunting and fishing trips. Dan loved the Kansas State Wildcats and spent many years attending football games with Theresa, supporting the Purple Pride, often traveling to bowl games with friends and family. It wasn’t long before he was recruited by Midwest Research Institute, where he quickly realized how much he enjoyed the challenges and diverse opportunities he was granted there, from cancer research to studying neurotoxins. While at MRI, Dan was contracted to provide work for Bayer, Inc. (then known as Mobay and Miles, Inc.), which offered him a position in 1984. During his long and successful career at Bayer, he provided international support on toxicology studies, regulatory issues, product development, and worked with the US EPA, US FDA, California EPA, and Health Canada. Dan was very proud that he was a Diplomate of the American Board of Toxicology and one of a handful of persons who passed the exam on the first time. After retiring in 2012, Dan focused his energy on his family, trying his hand at raising cattle, and taking care of his land. Dan enjoyed countless road trips with the grandsons, Kubota rides around the lake, and estate sale shopping. He loved those "50% off for anything you can fit on your trailer" deals! Long before grandchildren, Dan delighted in cruising around the lake on his boat and particularly enjoyed pulling riders behind on a tube and launching them over the wake and into the air! He became very adept at guessing the color of M&Ms with his eyes closed and always enjoyed the opportunity to play the "funnel trick." Dan is remembered for his kind heart and mischievous nature. Family and friends alike fondly recall how he welcomed people readily and treated everyone like family. There are too many fun adventures, practical jokes, and ribbings to list...Even in his last days with us, Dan's kindness and good-natured jokes persisted. Shortly after Dan’s diagnosis with Alzheimer’s disease, Pete, a volunteer with the hospice care team, began capturing Dan’s life story to share with loved ones. Please enjoy reading more stories and wonderful anecdotes in this journal linked below. http://tinyurl.com/danvangoethem Dan leaves behind the "best wife he ever had" of 50 years, Theresa; daughter Vanessa and favorite son-in-law, Sean Piela; grandchildren Brennen and Ryann of Roeland Park, KS; grandchildren Daniel and Elly of the home; mother, Donna Van Goethem, Overland Park, KS; daughter, Nicole; brother David (Cheryl) Van Goethem, Stilwell, KS; sister, Diane (Allen) Armon, Fairway, KS; sister, Jan Mundt, Nixon, TX; and many beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins. He is preceded in death by his nephew, John Paul Van Goethem, father, Robert Van Goethem; step-mother, Linda Van Goethem; and his brother, Jeff Myers of New Braunfels, Texas. A celebration of Dan’s life will be held at Maple Hill Funeral Home on Thursday, December 28, 2023. Visitation begins at 9:00 AM followed by a 10:00 AM service. Interment will follow at Maple Hill Cemetery. We ask guests to consider joining the family in honoring Dan’s fun-loving spirit by wearing something plaid or a Hawaiian shirt. Dan's family extends its gratitude to Crossroads Hospice & Palliative Care for their extraordinary support and service to Dan and his family, who allowed his wish to remain home to be realized. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation in Dan’s memory to the Podcasting Club of the Kansas State School for the Blind via the KC Blind AllStars (1100 State Avenue, Kansas City, KS 66102 or https://www.kcblindallstars.org/about/) or to Veterans Community Project (8900 Troost Ave., Kansas City, MO 64131 or https://www.veteranscommunityproject.org/give).

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Daniel L. Van Goethem

February 25, 1952 - December 21, 2023