ROBERT “BOB” WILBUR GOODMAN, JR.
1921-2021
Robert (Bob) Wilbur Goodman, Jr. passed away on March 17, 2021 at the age of 99 in Sapulpa, Oklahoma where he had been visiting his son Greg, Kim and their family. Bob was born on September 3, 1921 in Galveston, Texas to Anna Elizabeth (Butler) and R. Wilbur Goodman, Sr. He is pre-deceased by his parents, sister Mary Louise Carroll, grandson Luke and his wife of 65 years, Natalie McGee Goodman.
Bob grew up in Galveston which is where he developed his love for the outdoors and being by the water. A highenergy person, he never tired of learning a new activity and much of his childhood was spent playing at the beach, swimming, sailing, fishing and learning a myriad of athletic activities from his father including baseball, hunting, tennis and later, water-skiing and boating. A natural problem-solver with curiosity about how all things work, Bob chose to study Electrical Engineering at Virginia Military Institute in 1942, graduating just in time to enter World War II with a commission as 2nd Lieutenant in the US Army Cavalry. During the war he attained the rank of Captain and was selected to be part of a highly classified mission within the Persian Gulf to facilitate the Soviet Union’s assistance in defeating Nazi Germany. As the highest-ranking communications officer, Bob decoded a top secret message and was the first to learn about the Tehran Conference of 1943 between Stalin, Roosevelt and Churchill. He enjoyed the opportunity to help plan and execute the historically strategic Conference.
After the war, Bob spent an additional year overseas in Cairo working for the State Department and then returned to Texas to begin the MBA accounting program at the McCombs School of Business at The University of Texas in Austin. He discovered a love of numbers and transferred his problem-solving skills into the world of accounting. In 1948 Bob became a CPA and accepted a staff accountant position in the Houston office of Arthur Andersen & Co. Soon after, he met Natalie McGee at a party and it truly was love at first sight. After dancing the night away at the top of the Rice Hotel, Bob proposed to Natalie and they were married in 1953, which was also the year Bob became a partner with the firm. Bob spent his entire professional career in the Houston office, specializing in the oil and gas industry and in healthcare and specifically worked closely with Methodist Hospital, which his grandfather Henry Brown Goodman helped found in 1919. Following Bob’s retirement in 1979, he served five years as Director of the Houston office of the Center for International Business and served 30 years as Treasurer of Bethel Church, finally fully retiring at age 89. He sat on and was treasurer for many boards including The Salvation Army and the A.D. Players Performing Arts Academy.
Bob’s career was very important to him but the love and commitment to his family was core. He prioritized family time with his dear Natalie and their three children, Greg, David and Gail. His favorite place to relax with family was at their beloved Galveston bay house known as “The Camp.” There you could find him with friends and family fishing in the bay, boating, sailing, water-skiing (up to age 75) and working on various house projects. Then, at the end of the day, you would find a very content and peaceful Bob, peeling and eating shrimp on the porch, enjoying the salty breeze and sharing stories while sipping a margarita, watching the sunset and rocking in his favorite chair.
In the second act of his life Bob was very active at Bethel Church, serving as elder and, with Natalie, providing premarital counseling to young couples. His faith in the Lord and their strong community of friends at Bethel were central to his life.
Those who will miss Bob/ Dad/Grand the most include his son Robert Gregory (Greg) Goodman and wife Kim in Tulsa; son David McGee Goodman in Brenham; and daughter Gail Kathryn Goodman and wife Lynne Milburn in Austin; Grandchildren include Greg and Kim’s children: Jace, Rob, Chad, Seth and Joy; David’s children: Jennifer, John, and Caroline Goodman Patel with husband Mitul Patel and Nora Natalie Patel, Bob’s great granddaughter.
Our family would like to thank all of the many kind caregivers who have assisted Bob over the past 10 years he lived in Austin and the hospice staff who cared for him in Tulsa. Bob’s memorial service will be private and in lieu of flowers the family encourages you to give to the charity of your choice.