DICK GOETZMAN RECEIVES THE TOBY AWARD

 

While skiing in early May, 1989, Dick Goetzman took a serious fall head first from the top of the mountain.  He was emergency airlifted to the Reno, Nevada, hospital, regaining consciousness many days later.  When he could be moved a month or so later he was transferred to a head trauma hospital in Los Alamitos.

 

In Los Alamitos he endeared himself to his nurses with his life size, anatomically correct blowup doll.  He was eventually transferred to the Long Beach Hospital to a rousing chorus of hurrahs from the Los Alamitos nursing staff.  When Dick felt he had been in the Long Beach Hospital long enough he walked out, much to the consternation of the head nurse who didn’t know what had happened to him. 

 

The following ski season he strapped on his skis to do a few “lefts and rights.”  Needless to say, his many admirers were impressed by his recovery.  So much so that Bill Thompson prepared a certificate to commemorate the feat.  At an auspicious ceremony at the Mammoth Hilton, Dick Goetzman was presented the 1989 TOBY award for his death defying skiless descent of the mountain.  As you probably know, TOBY stands for “Tough Old Bastard of the Year.”  It was presented to him by Bob Kyser, the 1988 TOBY award winner.

 

Dick and I took very seriously the honor of being members of this very exclusive club.  We spent many evenings sipping toddies and discussing criteria for the TOBY award.  The major criterion is having a life-threatening situation.  We also determined the award could not be awarded posthumously.

 

Bob Kyser