Ex-Lincolnite Charles Goetowski dies when plane he built crashes

Charles R. Goetowski's dream since he learned to fly at 15 was to build his own airplane.  Three years ago he built a single-engine, midwing Rans S-10 powered by a 65-horsepower engine.

But on Nov. 21, 1992, the former Lincolnite's dream plane developed engine trouble while flying near San Jose, Calif.  It crashed, exploding in flames and killing Goetowski.  He was 47.

Goetowski, a doctor by training, was the director of quality systems for Becton-Dickinson Immunocytometry Systems in San Jose.  

He graduated from Lincoln High School and received a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.  He received his medical degree from the University of Nebraska School of Medicine in Omaha.  He also earned a master's degree in computer science from the University of Washington.

Survivors include his son, Ryan, of Sunnyvale, Calif; daughter, Lisa, of Sunnyvale; parents Dr. Paul and Marilynn Goetowski of Lincoln; brother, Paul, a doctor of Aiken SC; and sisters, Jody Lighter of Council Bluffs, Iowa and Susan Covolik of Lincoln.  Burial Lincoln Memorial Park, Lincoln, Nebraska.

Lincoln Journal Star - Tue, Dec 1, 1992 - Page 20