Secretary of State Sam Reed is paying tribute to Kathi Goertzen, the beloved
longtime KOMO4 anchor who died Monday after a long and public struggle with brain tumors.

Reed’s statement:

“I join in the outpouring of respect and admiration for Kathi Goertzen, who was taken from us all too soon.  In her years as an enterprising young reporter in Olympia and in the Seattle media market, and later as a longtime KOMO news anchor, Kathi exemplified the very best in community journalism, a love for effective government reporting, and for telling the stories that people care about.

Besides sharing a love for our alma mater, Washington State University, we shared a passion for civic engagement, civility and working toward a compassionate government that is worthy of respect from the people it serves.

“Her desire for accuracy and balance in reporting was legendary, as was her ready smile and ability to click with people from every walk of life. She was indeed a rare individual of grace and talent.  We laughed with her and we were deeply touched by her candor and openness with her 14-year struggle with brain tumors.  Thousands of us walked alongside her as she fought that battle with dignity and courage, and as a cancer survivor, I can tell you how important the support of family and friends can be.

“We will miss Kathi and send our condolences to her family and close friends, to the KOMO family and to her legions of fans.  We celebrate a life well-lived.”