ROBERT GOHEEN

Aug. 17, 1921 - Sept. 13, 2013
NEW CARLISLE - Born of Irish and Swedish descent, Robert is survived by two sons, Neil (Rachelle) Goheen of New Carlisle, IN, and Timothy (Courtney) Goheen of Kouts, IN. Also surviving are one sister, Joann Seach of South Bend, IN, as well as 7 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews. Robert was preceded in death by his parents, Ray and Eva, and siblings, Kathleen, Jean, Russ and Mike.

On November 28, 1952, he married Mildred Daniels, who also preceded him in death.

Robert often spoke fondly of the family business - Goheen Plumbing and Heating, which was run by his father and uncles and where he cut his teeth on the Melba of responsibility and fine work ethics. In his youth Robert bred and ran field trials with his beagles, (Happy Hollow Kennels), which were known throughout North America for their championships.

Robert graduated Central High School in South Bend where he was coached in basketball by the famous John Wooden.

Most recently it was learned that Robert in fact received a degree in engineering from Notre Dame University. An accomplishment that he "played down." After all, Bob was Swedish and he believed it to be arrogance if he were to flash around his educational achievement.

Enlisting in the Army Air Corps in 1943, Robert was trained as a flight engineer for a variety of Boeing aircraft. His military dossier inclusive shows that Robert was certified to pilot the B-17, B-24, B-25, B-29, P-38 and Corsair.

After his service to his country and several military service awards, Robert returned to civilian life and charted a course in the sheet metal industry where he would work as a union employee of Local #20, from 1947 till his retirement in 1980, working on many high profile jobs one of which included the layout, fabrication and erection of the cross that sits atop the Notre Dame Basilica. The retirement lifestyle too relaxed for "Bob", he went to work for the Indiana Department of Corrections for 10 years where one night he said to himself, "I've had enough", and went home to retire a second and final time. Bob kept busy reading and spending time with his grandchildren, telling stories of his youth and the philosophies of his father. His final 2 years of life were spent in the fine comfort and treatment of the staff at Hamilton Grove nursing home outside New Carlisle, IN. If there is any one token of advice or remembrance that we attribute to Dad, it is this one absolute that he made sure we knew: "As you walk out your front door for the day, remember this one thing. You are no better than anyone you meet on the street today."

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary's School in Niles, Michigan. At the request of Robert, there will be no services.

Published by South Bend Tribune from Sep. 21 to Sep. 22, 2013.

01/20/2023 EJS