A special kind of high level leader (CIO)

I worked for Bob for five years at Pep Boys in the early 90's. He was truly a special type of manager who listened and supported his team. His saying that everyone was a 7 rang true with me and I understood what he meant. His ability to make gold from straw and utilize ones strength was amazing. I have worked for various IT CIO's and he was someone who really understood people at all skill levels. Truly a special leader that made a difference in the lives of people he met and worked with. Thanks Bob, Joe D.

Unlimited Kindness

I will remember Bob for his kindness. When our current state senator was elected, I began working at Shannondell once a month to offer constituent services as her representative. The first day, Bob came in and organized the long line of residents, helping me work through each individual's needs. Then he walked me over to the other building and organized the line there, too. After that, he popped in each month to ask me if all was well, if I needed a bottle of water, or if there was anything he could do to be of service. He always took the time to introduce me to the people he knew, to ask after my family, and to give me one of his bright smiles. I'm grateful I was able to call him friend, and I will miss him.

Bob was well named - a good man, simply, essentially, and consistently to all. We worked with him in the Shannondell Democrats and were struck by his political acumen and the respect he offered to and received from others.
Tom and Carrol McCarthy

Bob and I worked together closely with our partner Unitarian Church in Várfalva, Romania. Our friends in Romania loved Bob because of his kindness and devotion to supporting their congregation. Both here and more than 4,000 miles away, Bob's friends have very fond memories of the times we spent with him.

Jonathan Bass

I am so very sorry for your loss. The world now has an empty spot that can't be filled. Being a women and working at Pep Boys in the 90's was at times "difficult" - but having Bob there for support made it so much easier. I will always be grateful. Thank you Bob.

Dear Ann, Gwen and Greg,

It was with sadness that Ron and I learned of Bob’s death. How fondly we remember him as our neighbor on Timber Lane. Such a friendly, interesting and genuine guy. I think the smile captured in every picture here speaks volumes as to his enjoyment of life, so expansively shared with others. I know that zest also carried over into his commitment to making a difference where he could in the lives of so many. He served as an example for us all, and one for whom the words, “Well done thy good and faithful servant” truly apply.

May you find peace and comfort in knowing how much Bob loved and delighted in his family and in the happy memories you will always hold dear.

With love and deepest sympathy,
Peggy and Ron Gregg

Bob will be missed by ALL.

I got to know Bob and Ann through MLUC. Not sure how we first met but we quickly learned we were all avid Democrats involved in local politics. What I will miss most is Bob's wonderful sense of humor at coffee hour. We enjoyed teasing each other. When Ann and I got more involved in legislative advocacy together at church he would joke about me corrupting her.
Bob also volunteered to talk to my son and show him around the Friends' Service Committee when he showed interest. Bob's 'one of the good ones' and will be missed by many.

Birthday twin!

Bob was always one of my favorite co-workers at AFSC -- what a great smile he had!

And one day we realized we shared a birthday. I've only ever met one other person born on May 3 (although that can't be true). I was so honored to be his birthday twin.

Oh, how I will miss that smile.

Ann and Family

I knew Bob from the Lower Providence Democratic party and learned a great deal from him. I appreciated his enthusiasm, his directness and his humor...he will be missed. I hope that he was able to go on his terms and in peace because he once shared how important that was for him.
Ann, I have been thinking of you, I hope you are able to surround yourself with family and good friends. I have you in my thoughts and prayers.
Cara

Bob- My boss, my mentor and more importantly ---my friend.

I cried today when I heard the news. There are very few who really make a difference in everyone’s
life around him and makes everyone a better person. Bob was one of those special people. I had the privilege of working for Bob at Pep Boys. He was my boss, my mentor and more importantly ---my friend.
Bob hired me in 1990. I had a zoom call with Bob last year and he still complained that I never accomplished the one task he hired me for. If it were not for Bob ---I don’t know where I would be today. He made me a better manager, better technician and most important - a better person.
Two of Bob’s skills were his ability to give you advice without telling you what to do and 2) when you did something wrong ---he could correct you and yet when you left ---you knew you were wrong but still felt good about yourself. Just about every morning I stopped at Bob’s office for a short chat (and eat his pistachios). Often I needed some advice and he would come up with a story that somehow related to the problem I was having. Sometimes the story was business related and sometimes it was about life. He taught me that things we see in everyday life play a role in system design. He taught me about ethics in work. I also learned about how Ohio State sidewalks were designed ; I had an in depth recap of the Colleges Greg visited (Bob really liked JMU); how proud he was of Gwen and Greg; how Ann helped him through college; how he played center in basketball and was taken out when he scored 5 straight baskets – scoring was not his role and the coach told him. I learned so much from those impromptu meetings.
I probably caused Bob more anguish than anyone else working for him. I seemed to be a topic of conversation at Senior Staff meetings ---he had my back. He kept encouraging me to keep doing what I was doing. He had weekly meetings with his direct reports. Often I felt it was me against the other 12. One time after a particular tough meeting he came to see me. He said something to the effect that it seems unfair -- you against the rest. I quickly agreed and then he said---but I never said which side to which it was unfair. –that simple encouragement meant a lot to me.
Bob was fond of saying that we were ‘all a 7’ --We all had had 7 strengths and three weaknesses. None of us are a perfect 10. And what is wonderful is that we all have different strengths and different weaknesses. But as a team --- as each member of the team brings different strengths--only as a team could we be a ten. I wish to correct you Bob–as it comes to being a boss, mentor, and friend – you score a perfect 10.
Here is to Bob -- I can’t thank you enough for all you did for me. I will continue to think of you often. I love you.
tgk (RVG speak for Tom Krause)

Goodbye Bob

You used your time here well. You served the less fortunate, while being engaged with the world. You served the church I joined because we share such values.
You teach us how we can live, too.
Gary Geoghegan

I didn't know Bob well - I met him through MLUC - but I have to say that he always was so kindly, so charismatic that I felt like an old friend in his presence. I know he was very highly regarded and he will be deeply missed by many.
Madelaine

An unexpected friend for almost 40 years

I first met Bob when I worked at GE (not in his department). I called and scheduled a meeting for 30 minutes unbeknown to my boss or my management chain. I was surprised I got on Bob’s schedule so easily. I showed up a bit nervous to meet an “A” level manager who I only knew by reputation (most of it not good in the engineering department but that is a long story). I fully expected to be handed some platitudes and be sent on my way.

We spoke that first time for an hour and when he said he had to leave he asked me to return next month for more conversation. I said, “only if he agreed to keep our meetings clandestine”, since I knew I would be in trouble if my management found out I was not following protocol.

Looking back, I had no idea I would find in Bob a friend and advisor for almost 40 years. He served for free on the board of my startup a few years later and was always willing to talk tech and more recently politics.

After I moved to Iowa (1996) I would return to Philadelphia and Bob was always willing to meet me for lunch and conversation. I would sometimes wait for Bob at AFSC in the Meeting House portion of the building where I had learned in that very room so much about patience during my childhood at Friends Select School just down the street.

When Bob joined me we would sometimes walk to the Reading Market for food. This combined with our talking could last over 2 hours. If Bob was short on time we would grab a quick cheese steak right outside his office.

In later years he introduced me to Shake Shack in K of P. He never turned me down for a lunch meeting even though I expect there were times when he could have used his time differently.

Bob would often say he learned a lot from me and I often corrected him and explained how he had taught me so much. I consider myself lucky to have had a long Zoom conversation with him over the past winter where he explained rather than having a “green screen” as I have, he just painted the room green. Nothing like doing it right!

He was a great guy, a friend, and will be missed.

So blessed to have had Bob Goodman in my life!

What a joy it was to have Bob as a colleague and friend at AFSC. My first week on the job in Pasadena Bob jumped in with his incredible commitment to customer service as we struggled with our ISP provider. That was just the first of many times he demonstrated his commitment to joyful service and nurturing support for all of AFSC’s staff. Our friendship deepened when I went to Philadelphia and we shared lunches in Love Park or his most recently discovered favorite spot. No matter the controversies or factions, Bob always stayed in relationship with everyone around him, truly speaking to that of God in us all. The world was a brighter place in his presence. He is sorely missed.

Trust Exercise

At MLUC, Bob was my partner for a trust exercise during a course we were taking. I was blindfolded and Bob took my hand leading me along some ‘mountain peaks’. I was not afraid at all!
I shall miss this kind soul

Dianne Yaunches

I could share many stories about Bob, with whom we shared a long-time involvement with Main Line Unitarian Church, and with other couples, enjoyed several service auction getaways in Block Island. Most of us know of Bob’s kindness, intelligence, and sense of humor. He also enjoyed a good card game. For years he and my late husband, David, were part of a poker group from Main Line. After a Sunday service which my husband hadn’t attended, Bob approached me and asked for $5.00. I asked him why, and he repeated the request. He finally ‘fessed up that having had the best poker hands ever, and after winning consistently, he’d have scooped up at least five bucks from David. We had a good laugh and I suggested that he win it for real at their next game.
Bob was a good person from every perspective, and I know he’ll be missed by all. My deepest condolences to Ann, Greg, Gwen, and all the family.

Bob and politics

Bob served the Democratic Party for seven years while he was at Shannondell. Ann assisted him, as in all things. He enraptured all who knew him, no matter party affiliation, with his engaging style and authentic interest. A number of months ago, Bob asked me to succeed him as Democratic Committee Person, knowing his health was failing. He was quite brave about it. We had known each other at Main Line Unitarian Church for a few years. His politics stemmed from his deep belief that every individual was of worth and that we all are equal. A great place to start from, don't you think? We'll all be better off if we can end up there too.