Dr. Robert F. Goad

passed away after a sudden heart attack while he was mowing his lawn at his home in Shelton, WA, 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, MN. 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. His attention to politics and history, wicked sense of humor, thoughtfulness to others, and loving care of his children and wife were paramount. He was a friend to hundreds of people around the world whom he honored and valued deeply.Bob attended Benilde High School, St. Louis Park, MN and Creighton University in Omaha from 1965-1973 for both undergraduate (BSC) degree and medical school. 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 '82-'85 and did numerous courses over the years to sharpen his skills.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, CN 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 '78-'82, 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. His work there involved doing research on the hyperbaric tables, teaching, work with NATO, and the deep dive program series. His work and expertise in diving/submarine medicine led to his appointment as Chief Medical Officer for Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, '86-'90. Bob's final tour in the Navy was as the Director for Operational Medicine, Naval Hospital, Bremerton,WA., '90-'94.He began a full-time career in anesthesia in '94-'09 at Mason General Hospital (where he co-owned the business), Shelton, WA and part-time at a local Oral Surgery/Implant clinic. He saved many lives due to his focused attention to details in the O.R. and was rated as a top anesthesiologist. Lists of his publications, awards, licensures, certificates, memberships and work with professional societies runs on for pages. 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. This love and awe he passed onto his children. After diving trips, he would often regale them with tales of underwater adventures dealing with dangerous and beautiful creatures of the deep: coaxing morays eels and octopi out of their stony crevices.He lectured for and dived with what was then the Human Underwater Biology, CME group, becoming infamous not only for his excellent and funny lectures in underwater medicine, but also for his pranks. He found it so amusing to pop up from behind coral reefs wearing a replica mask of the "Creature of the Black Lagoon" to surprise passing divers, almost giving them the "bends" as they zoomed away from him in terror.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, WA to these brave soldiers and civilians. His love of history and fair-play and his encyclopedic knowledge of everything, was lately focused on the Bataan Death March. This led to his decision to join the Board to help with this project to honor this tragedy of history.In addition to his nuclear family, Bob leaves behind his father, Samuel Terry; siblings, 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.Family and friends are respectfully invited to attend the visitation at 5:00 PM followed by a Recitation of The Rosary on Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 7:30 PM at St. Cecilia Catholic Church, 1310 Madison Avenue NE on Bainbridge Island, Washington. The Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Friday, June 12, 2009 at 12 Noon also at the church. A reception will follow at the Church - Conger Hall. Interment will take place at Hillcrest Cemetery on Bainbridge Island.If you so wish, donations in lieu of flowers can be sent to: Transitional Resourses (works with the mentally ill) 2970 S.W.Avalon Way, W. Seattle, WA 98126 or Prisoners of the _Far East WWII Memorial, 2412 Soundview Dr. N.E., Bainbridge Island, WA 98110. Please note: Both contributions are the 5013c tax deductable.