On September 16, 2022, Robert J.Goodwin — aka Bob, Happy, Huggie Bear, Balboa — passed on to his next adventure. It is with deep sorrow and a broken heart that I surrender my soulmate to the peace he so deserves after a very painful 18 months.

He was born in Silver Creek, N.Y. on October 30, 1945 and grew up in Angola, near Buffalo, N.Y. He attended Lakeshore Central High School and Clarkson University, Potsdam, N.Y.

He relished the small farming community of his childhood and often spoke about picking raspberries, sweetcorn, tomatoes and potatoes during the summer holidays. Sweet memories of riding bicycles to the creek with his mates and hanging out from breakfast to dinner time. As a teenager, he performed lifeguard duties on the beach at Lake Erie.

After graduation, he drove out west in his TR4 and began his sales career in San Francisco and spent the rest of his years in the city, Sausalito (on a houseboat), San Rafael and the most recent 25 years in Humboldt County.

He was passionate about sailing all kinds of craft and raced on S.F. Bay. He also loved his canoe (Eva) and birding, combining both for explorations in the bay, estuaries and rivers. Stone Lagoon was a favorite. He later developed a zeal for golf and played three times a week at Redwood Empire Golf and Country Club, Fortuna, making some fun friendships there.

He savored his single malt scotch and a good pinot noir. He was fond of adding “Less Bother” and “If Not Now When?” to any life decisions.

My heartfelt thanks to the team at Hospice and my good friend, Ava McKenzie, who shepherded us through the last eighteen months with professional skill and compassion.

He is survived by his spirited wife of 33 years, Jean Harvey. Farewell my love, until we meet again.

Some time to honor and remember him will be on October 30 (his birthday) from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at our home. All are welcome.

###

The obituary above was submitted by Bob Goodwin’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.