Robert “Bob” Frank Goad died May 31, 2009 after a sudden heart attack while he was mowing his lawn at his home in Shelton where he stayed to be on medical call at Mason General Hospital. His great heart gave out on him, while dressed in the famous, cozy green hospital scrubs which he, laughingly, wore everywhere.

He was the first-born son of Samuel Terry Goad and Rose Kelley Goad; husband of nearly 38 years (June 19) to college sweetheart, Carolyn (Waldeck); father of Matt, Jenny, Chris, and Katie. Bob was born in St. Paul, Minn. where his mother, Rose, was born and raised.

This was a man who was dedicated to the ideals of home, country and God. He distinguished himself highly in his military, medical and, most importantly, family careers. Service for helping others and living up to highly ethical ideals of morality and justice were integral to all aspects of his life. His lighter side was seen in his eclectic love of books, comics, music and films of all genres. We all must grow older, but we never have to grow up. Movies “King Kong” and “Creature of the Black Lagoon” were very special to him.

Bob attended Benilde High School in St. Louis Park, Minn. and Creighton University in Omaha, Neb. from 1965 to 1973 for both his undergraduate (BSC) degree and medical school. His medical internship was done at the old Balboa Naval Hospital in San Diego, ’73-’74. He was accepted for a two-year residency in anesthesia and a one-year fellowship in hyperbaric medicine at Duke University in Durham, N.C. from 1982 to 1985.

Upon graduation from medical school, he was commissioned an officer in the U.S. Navy Medical Corps where he served for 24 years, rising quickly through the ranks before retiring as a Captain (06) in 1994. His training began in Groton, Cont. at the Naval Undersea Medical Institute (NUMI) which led to him becoming an expert in diving/submarine medicine. He was the recipient of the Surgeon General’s award there. He served in San Diego as the Designated Saturation Diving Medicial Officer Deep Diving Systems,COMSUBDEVGRUONE. From 1978 to 1982, he served as the U.S. Navy Exchange Officer in Underwater Medicine to the Royal Navy at the Institute of Naval Medicine in Alverstoke, England. That led to his appointment as chief medical officer for Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii from 1986 to 1990. Bob’s final tour in the Navy was as the director for Operational Medicine, Naval Hospital, Bremerton from 1990 to 1994.

He began a full-time career in anesthesia from 1994 to 2009 at Mason General Hospital (where he co-owned the business) and part-time at a local oral surgery/implant clinic. He saved many lives due to his focused attention to details in the operating room and was rated as a top anesthesiologist.

Bob’s love of diving and the mysterious beauty of the ocean were very important to him, stemming from his Navy experiences. He was a renowned expert in the treatment of the “bends,” working with the Diving Accident Network and the Underwater/Hyperbaric Medical Society.

Comedian, jokester and prankster extraordinaire were what Bob had always been. Ever-thoughtful, no friend or relative’s birthday or anniversary that he knew went by without a greeting card. Two were waiting to be mailed when he passed.

Recently, he had become involved with the “Prisoners of the Far East WWII Memorial” project which is striving to raise money to erect a monument in Bremerton to these brave soldiers and civilians.

In addition to his nuclear family, Bob leaves behind his father, Samuel Terry; sisters, Carolyn and Maryann (John Merideth); brother, John (Jean); in-laws; cousins; nephews; nieces; aunts; and uncles. He was preceded in death by his mother, Rose.

The Mass of Christian Burial is at noon Friday, June 12 at St. Cecilia Catholic Church, 1310 Madison Ave. NE on Bainbridge Island. A reception will follow at the church in Conger Hall. Interment will take place at Hillcrest Cemetery on Bainbridge Island.

Donations in lieu of flowers can be sent to: Transitional Resources (works with the mentally ill), 2970 SW Avalon Way, Seattle, WA 98126 or Prisoners of the Far East WWII Memorial, 2412 Soundview Dr. NE, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110. An online guest book is available at www.cookfamilyfuneralhome.com.