Robert Goodspeed

ROBERT 'BOB' GOODSPEED was born on December 14, 1928 to Verne and Eva (Tompkins) Goodspeed in Aberdeen, South Dakota. He attended public school in Aberdeen through high school, graduating in 1946. He enlisted in the United States Navy and served for two years in the United States and Newfoundland. When he returned, he attended Northern State College, majoring in Medical Technology with a year of internship at St. Luke’s Hospital in Aberdeen. Robert began working at Sioux Valley Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota where he met Jean Pangburn. The two were united in marriage on May 31, 1953 at the First Presbyterian Church in Miller, South Dakota in a double ceremony with Jean’s sister, Merrilyn. They both worked at the clinic in Huron, South Dakota for a short time until Bob got a job working for the VA Hospital in Sioux Falls in 1953. In October of 1956, the family moved to Pipestone, Minnesota. Bob worked at the hospital in Pipestone until his retirement in 1986. Bob then served as county commissioner for six years and then truly retired in 1995. They continued to live in their home in Pipestone where Bob died on Thursday, January 22, 2015 at the age of 86 years, one month and eight days.

Bob was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Pipestone; he was also a member of the Hiawatha Club and Golden K Club, as well as the Michael Boock American Legion Post #6. Bob was a Scoutmaster, and enjoyed the outdoors. Some of Bob’s hobbies included, building and flying radio control miniature aircrafts, photography and painting. He also spent time bowhunting, playing the banjo, square dancing and calling square dance. Bob especially enjoyed time spent with Jean and the rest of his family. In October of 2014, Bob was inducted into the Pipestone/Jasper athletic hall of fame in recognition of his photography for high school athletics.

Bob is lovingly remembered by his wife of 61 years, Jean of Pipestone; two children: Steve Goodspeed of Buckingham, Virginia and Cindy (Chris DeIuliis) Goodspeed of Beaufort, North Carolina; three grandchildren: Jennifer Hutson, Andy DeIuliis and Rasha DeIuliis. Bob is preceded in death by his parents; one daughter, Tracy Hutson; one brother, Gordon Goodspeed; one sister, LaVonne Woodlock; and an infant brother, Tommy.