ROBERT B GOFF, SR.
1924-2018
Robert (Bob) B Goff, Sr (93) passed away peacefully on July 2, 2018. He was born August 8, 1924, in Arcadia, LA, to Ruth and Carl Goff, who preceded him in death. In his youth he was very interested in the Boy Scout program and was proud to become an Eagle Scout at the age of 14, the first in Arcadia. He completed high school in 1941 and commenced his college education at Louisiana Tech in Ruston, LA, that same year. In 1942 he enlisted in the Navy V-12 program and was allowed to continue his college studies until July, 1943, when he was ordered to report for duty at Rice Institute in Houston, TX. In November, 1944, he was ordered to Midshipman School at Columbia University in New York, received his commission as an Ensign in 1945 and after further training was assigned to an LST as the engineering officer. He was discharged from the Navy in 1946, returned to Rice for his final year, and graduated in 1947 with a degree in mechanical engineering.
After one year as an engineer for Texas Pipe Line Co., Bob returned to Houston to begin his career in the food manufacturing business, always centered on rice milling. He served as VP and Director of Comet Rice Mills and Riviana Foods and then as President and CEO of Food Corp International. He retired in 1986.
Shortly after his graduation from Rice, Bob married his sweetheart, Mary Jane Ellis. They loved dancing, entertaining, traveling and the many activities with the ‘Sindicate’ – a close group of friends from college with whom they shared a life-long relationship. They orchestrated incredible family road trips. And they especially loved time at Caney Creekskiing, crabbing, grilling and cocktail cruising. Bob & Mary Jane knew how to have fun together. Bob had many interests including tennis, hunting, golf and boating. He was “Mr. Fix-It” and could repair anything that broke. He loved evenings with family on the patio with Big Band music playing.
Bob was a member of Rice University Associates, the Alumni Association, the Owl Club, and a member of River Oaks Country Club. He was also a long time member of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, having served as a deacon, elder and trustee, as well as on numerous committees.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Jane (Ellis) Goff, and his sister, Carol Goff Hanacek. He is survived by his daughter Gayle, and partner Linda Land, of Austin; son Robert B., Jr., and grandsons, Joel and Peter Goff, of San Antonio; and by his nephew Ladd Hanacek, wife Charmon and daughter, Faith, of Schulenburg, Texas and daughter Paige Lines and husband Matt, of Houston.
The family wishes to extend sincerest gratitude to the following persons for their loving care: Sara Ramirez, Kelley Richard, Mabel Umukoro, Lee Jack, Tracy Thomas, Adrian Guillot, Dammy Oludamiro, Sheila Hemphill, Cile Mathis and Nakia Ziegler.
A memorial service will be held at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, 5308 Buffalo Speedway in Houston on Thursday, September 6, at 1 pm, with a reception at the church following the service.
The family requests that remembrances be directed to the Boy Scouts of America, Rice University Scholarship Fund or to a charity of your choice.