DICK GOETZMAN OFFICIATING IN THE CHURCH OF THE OPEN SLOPES

 

While many thought of Dick Goetzman as just a party animal, he had a serious moral side to him.  He was ordained in the Church of the Open Slopes and had a certificate and the robes to prove it.  One of his many functions was to bless and sanctify the marriage vows renewal of Nila and Bob Kyser for 365 days each year.  With his strong sense of moral character he wanted to insure the couple did not cohabitate in sin without the blessings of his church.  He did this almost every February from 1988 until 2003.

The ceremony starts with the Kysers walking beneath the arch formed by the raised ski poles with their orange Balboa flags unfurled.  The Choir of the Open Slopes hums the wedding march during this processional.  At the end is Saint Richard, tall and grand in his resplendent scarlet robes and miter.  The ceremonies included wise and inspirational readings by Saint Richard, usually lawyer or political jokes.  (At one time sexist jokes were included until the women of the Choir of the Open Slopes formed a snowball brigade and threatened Dick with bombardment at the first sign of sexism.)  The ceremonies would include wonderful renditions of such fine old standards as “Show Me the Easy Way Down” and “She’ll Come Racing Down the Mountain”.  The ceremony ends with Saint Richard blessing the happy couple with the bubbly holy water.  The entire congregation toasts with more of the bubbly, bottles of which has been previously placed in the snow. 

 

After the ceremony the entire congregation skis down the mountain following Saint Richard, his scarlet robes billowing in the wind behind him.

 

Nila and Bob Kyser