Robert LeRoy Goodman "Bob", age 93, passed away in Sterling, CO on November 23, 2020.  Bob was born in Wray, CO, on October 27, 1927, to Willard and Mabel (Shaw) Goodman.  His family lived on a farm south of Larid, CO, where he and his older sister and younger brother grew up.  He fed and milked cows every morning and night and told of the ice caves they would build to store meat and food in the summers.  He attended country school 2½ miles from his home and rode his favorite spotted pony, Toots, and later his black pony, Blackie.  On the plains it was always cold in the winter and he told the story of getting lost in a blizzard and his dad hitched the team of horses and found him and his sister riding home.  He grew up hunting with his dad and especially hunted coyotes on horseback with grey hounds, and later driving a hound wagon.  He attended Wray high school and participated in football and school activities.

Bob graduated high school at 17. The World War II emergency was in effect and it was mandatory to register for the draft at age 18.  He did and within a month he had orders to report to Fort Logan in Denver, CO, for military testing and he was selected for pilot training in the Army Air Corp, which is now the US Air Force. He received his training at the Air Cadet Center in San Antonio, TX.  He lived in the barracks with 40 others and began basic training to learn firing of rifles, pistols, and 30 caliber machine guns.  He participated in practice missions of carrying 50-pound packs for several miles, setting camps, and simulating battle maneuvers.  During 1946, World War II was ending, and he did not get the chance to begin flight training because the Air Corp had too many pilots.  He was reassigned to Fort Logan in Denver and was promoted to the Administrative Training Program and was an instructor in the clerical typist school.  Once a month he would travel by train, or hitch a ride, to Wray, CO, to visit his family.  In February 1947 he was given an honorable discharge and returned to civilian life.  The next 4 years he was in the Ready Reserve Corp but was never called to military service.  Bob was a proud veteran and considered himself a patriot.

He married the woman of his dreams, Imogene Marie Stone (Jeanie) on June 19, 1948, in Wray, CO, where he farmed, and she worked at the bank.  They were married 67 years.  They started their married life on a ranch north of Yuma, CO, and then west of Wray, CO, and during this time they had three children.  In 1953 he began training for the ASCS office and worked in Wray, then as manager at the office in Akron, CO, from 1957- 1962.  While working he completed a 4-year course of Agri-Challenge sponsored by the Colorado State University Extension program, and the Dale Carnegie program.  In 1962 Bob started his real estate brokerage of Goodman Realty, CO. He worked hard to establish an honorable reputation as a businessman to make a difference in farm and ranch transactions with clients in northeast Colorado.  The business still exists today, and he had a desk there until he was 88.

Making Akron, CO, the home for his family, Bob was involved in the community.  He served on the Akron School Board six years, which led the construction of new schools.  He served one term on the Town Council, was chairman of the Washington County Planning Commission, and a board member of the Economic Development Corporation.  He also was a member of the Akron Chamber of Commerce, the local Lions club, and a charter member of the Akron Elks Lodge.  He was proud to have served on the Board of Directors for the Y-W Electric Association for 16 years.

An important part of Bob's life was being a member of the Akron Masonic Lodge serving as Worshipful Master four times.  He held other offices and progressed to Akron Royal Arch Masons, Illustrious Council of Masons and made a Knight Templar in the commandry of Knight Templars.  In addition, he is a Scottish Right Mason holding membership in the Lodge of Perfection, the Council Chapter, and the Consistory of the Sublime Princes of the Royal Secret.  He was elected to receive the Gold Honor Award by the York Rite Sovereign College of North America in 2001.  Bob was highly respected for his work and dedication to the teachings of the Lodges.

First and foremost, throughout his life he always cherished his family.  He and Jeanie shared eleven grandchildren and 32 great grandchildren and totally embraced their diversity.  They always supported their children in school, activities, sports, 4-H, and having fun.  They instilled good values and demanded respect and hard work, along with having fun.  Many hours were spent as a family arrowhead hunting, fishing, and hunting.  Bob made several Elk hunting trips with relatives and friends which was always a highlight in the fall. The great grandchildren are now learning the ropes of hunting pheasants, deer, coyotes, and even snakes.  "Safety first" was always his motto and he almost never missed a shot.  Bob always kept his interest in ranching and cattle, so his family spent hours fixing fence, checking cows, riding horses, and doing chores.  A highlight for him was teaching the grandkids and great grandkids to drive in the pasture.

In 2018, Bob decided to live at Harmony Home in Sterling, CO.  He always had his heart with his community and continued to stay informed.  He had a wonderful two years with the Harmony family where he made new connections, told many stories, and kept his sense of humor.  He was proceeded in death by his parents; sister, Phyllis Brown; brother Dean Goodman; wife, Jeanie; son-in-law, Chuck Annand; and greatgrandson, Blake Crownover.  He is survived by son, Jere Goodman (Cris) of Akron, CO; Jonelle Parker (Darrel), Deanna Annand, grandchildren and great grandchildren, and numerous relatives of the Goodman and Stone families.  We lost a warrior, but heaven gained a servant.

Contributions in the memory of Bob may be made to the Washington County Event Center or Meals on Wheels.