NEWTON, N.J., BOWERBANK and BREWER – The Rev. Dr. Robert Burrill Goodwin, 91, died peacefully March 30, 2011, surrounded by his family at Bristol Glen Retirement Community, Newton, N.J.
Bob was predeceased by his beloved wife, Francena (Doble), whom he married Aug. 15, 1942. He is survived by their children, Galen and his wife, Judy, of Lansing, Mich., Dorothy and her husband, Gerald Hill, of North Port, Fla., Elizabeth and her husband, Frank Bottone, of Livingston, N.J., Nancy and her husband, John Hanlon, of Brewer and Timothy and his wife, Beth, of Hudson; 12 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his older brother, Howard of Sun City Center, Fla.
Born Dec. 21, 1919, in Brewer, to Galen and Ethel (Mayo) Goodwin, Bob graduated from the University of Maine in 1941 with a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering. Called to the ministry, he entered Bangor Theological School that fall, serving churches in East Sullivan, Gouldsboro and Prospect Harbor in a three-point charge. He transferred to Drew Theological School, Madison, N.J., to complete his seminary courses and served another three-point charge comprised of Westtown, N.Y., Unionville, N.J., and Greenville, N.J. He would spend the rest of his ministry serving Methodist churches in northern New Jersey. Bob was appointed to churches in East Orange, Rockaway, Clifton, Madison, and Westfield, as well as being appointed a district superintendent. A lifelong student, he earned a Master of Divinity, in 1945, a Master of Sacred Theology, in 1952, and a Doctor of Ministry, in 1975, all from Drew Theological School. For many years he served on the Conference Board of Pensions and as a member of the board of trustees at Drew University. He was a past member of the Rotary Club and was proud of his more than 30 years of perfect attendance. After his retirement from active ministry in 1985, while vacationing summers in Maine, he preached to a congregation in Lakeview on Schoodic Lake. That church family meant a great deal to him and he looked forward all year to those Sundays in July and August. Although much of his time was spent ministering to his congregants, Bob was a man of many interests and talents. He was a handyman extraordinaire – which he demonstrated every summer at his camp on Sebec Lake. He could fix the pump, jack up the camp, build a deck or a boathouse, tar the roof, hook up the spotlights, grill the hot dogs, build a fire, drive the boat for waterskiing and photograph the sunset. Throughout the years, his relaxation came from his woodshop, his HO trains, piano playing, tennis and, of course, crossword puzzles. In retirement he loved to watch the New York Yankees and New Providence High School Pioneers football. Bob touched so many lives in his ministry and in his extensive family. There have been countless baptisms, confirmations, weddings and burials that bonded him to hundreds of people. His gentle faith and goodness encompassed all who knew him. He lived fully and loved deeply with grace, humor, wisdom and compassion. What a blessing it has been to have him in our lives.
Memorial services celebrating his life will be held April 30 in Westfield, N.J., and this summer 11 a.m. Saturday, July 23, at First United Methodist Church, 40 South Main St., Brewer. Contributions in Bob’s name may be made to The Centenary Fund, 1001 Wickapecko Drive, Ocean, NJ 07712.