Richard Lewis Goff

Richard Lewis Goff passed away February 10, 2025, surrounded by his loving family at his home on Pleasant Beach on Bainbridge Island. Richard was born in 1938 to Dr. Willard and Barbara Goff. He grew up in Seattle with his two brothers and two sisters. He attended Franklin High School and spent his summers on Bainbridge with his extended family.

He graduated from Pomona College in 1960 and attended Harvard Law School (’63) and was on the Harvard Law Review. He spent his 40-year career working at Heller Ehrman White and McAuliffe, both in San Francisco and Seattle. He was an accomplished litigator, winning a Supreme Court case for conscientious objectors during the Vietnam War and he did extensive pro bono work.

In 1993 he moved to Bainbridge Island with his wife Dagmar Stauss. He was very active in his community, working with Eagle Harbor Congregational Church, the Bainbridge Island North Kitsap Interfaith Council, and the Island Volunteer Caregivers. One of his favorite activities was to bring music from around the world to those who could not travel. He fought for affordable housing, environmental causes, as well as equity and inclusion for all. He was a devoted husband father and grandfather.

He loved sports, (especially the San Francisco Giants and 49ers), camping, fishing, hiking, music, and boating on Bestie and traveling with his wife, Dagmar. Spending time with family, especially his grandchildren and sharing the beauty and the joys of Pleasant Beach, were his favorite activities. Richard is survived by his wife Dagmar Stauss, his sisters Trudy and Alice, his brother John, his four children ( Barbara, John, Ellen and Robert), four step children, 15 grandchildren and three great grandsons.

 Arrangements are entrusted to Cook Family Funeral Home of Bainbridge Island, WA.