Robert Earl "Bob" Goetzinger was born June 10, 1949 to Earl Walter and Myrtle Alice (nee Hoiseth) Goetzinger in Corvallis, OR. He joined older sisters Joann and Alice and was the apple of his parents' eyes. Siblings Charles, Donna, Ron and Lynne later arrived to complete this family of nine.
Bob went to Zion Lutheran and Fairplay elementaries, Highland View Jr. High, and graduated from Corvallis High School in 1967.
Bob showed an early interest and skill in woodworking, encouraged by his dad who was an accomplished plasterer. When Bob was in 9th grade woodshop he built a hydroplane race boat and used his dad's five horsepower outboard motor to run it on the Willamette River. Bob's first job out of high school was working for Beaver Coaches in Corvallis, building pickup campers.
Bob enlisted in the U.S. Army and received basic training at Fort Lewis, WA and further transportation training at Fort Ord, CA. He was stationed in Germany from 1968 until 1970, then served in Vietnam from July 18, 1970 until June 11, 1971. He was honorably discharged as an SP4.
Bob briefly attended Linn-Benton Community College, where he studied drafting and met Karen Reynolds. Bob and Karen were married on June 2, 1973. Joined in their union was her young daughter Sherrie, with whom Bob shared a lifelong bond, where blood ties had no relevance. Their family was further blessed by the arrival of their daughter Kimberly on May 10, 1975 in Silverton, OR. Bob and Karen later divorced.
Bob worked as a carpenter in Oregon and later in Colorado, for a time with his brother Ron (who shared Bob's June 10 birthday). Bob's handiwork, especially his wood finish carpentry, was detailed and masterful.
Sherrie and Kim's childhood visits to Bob in Colorado were always filled with adventures that typically included one or more of Bob's favorite outdoor activities like: skiing, camping, shooting and fishing. He helped raise them with a sense of respect for Mother Nature in all her glory. He helped teach them to remain true to themselves, and to always be kind and honorable. Bob's love and pride for his daughters could only be matched later in life by the love he most certainly felt for his grandchildren.
In 1997 Bob set up his home on a mountaintop, off-the-grid site outside of Pagosa Springs, CO. Bob and Ron had many adventures in southern Colorado and northern New Mexico.
They are known for their wry wit and irreverent sense of humor. For fun they practiced their game of "Goof" dressed in loud-colored, mismatched polyester costumes, with nontraditional "clubs" and and golf balls made of donkey and horse manure. Riding motorcycles in the San Juan Mountains was another of the brothers' favorite pastimes.
In recent years Bob worked to tame the demons caused by his involvement with the Vietnam War. He joined Veterans for Veterans of Archuleta County, CO, and its members became an extended family. He also enjoyed time spent at a senior center in Pagosa Springs.
In 2015 Bob's deteriorating health required a move from his beloved mountaintop. He came back to the Pacific Northwest in June, living first with his sister Lynne and her family, then near his brother Chuck and sister-in-law Gail near Philomath. He remained as independent as possible until his last few days, when his COPD worsened. He died at Samaritan Evergreen Hospice House in Albany on Friday, January 22, 2016, lovingly supported by his daughter Kim and other family members.
Surviving Bob are his daughter Kim (Kip) Whitehead and granddaughters Akeylah and Zakiyah, Eugene, OR; and stepdaughter Sherrie (Alex Serrano) Reynolds and grandson Jacob, Redmond, OR. His surviving siblings are: Joann Clifford, Aztec, NM; Alice (Bruce) McCain, Suquamish, WA; Chuck (Gail) Goetzinger, Philomath, OR; Donna Granados, Corvallis, OR; Ron Goetzinger, Aztec, NM; Lynne (Mike) Walters, BattleGround, WA. He also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Bob dearly loved his dogs and other creatures, most recently mother-and-daughter Beagles, Katie and Belle.
"Pray for Peace" was Bob's signature sendoff, and he would be pleased if we would do so in his honor. Please consider making a donation or volunteering your time with your local veterans' group, Samaritan Evergreen Hospice House in Albany, OR ( www.samhealth.org/hospice ), or Veterans for Veterans of Archuleta County, CO ( www.vets4vetspsco.org /).
As Bob was never fond of Oregon's winters, an Oregon service will be held to honor him when the sun shines brightly on us all again. There will be another memorial service in Colorado, with details to be developed. Information on service details will be posted on Bob's Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/bob.goetzinger .