Robert Goodsell

Robert "Bob" Goodsell was born on September 23, 1921 in Maiden Rock, Wisconsin and moved to Ithaca when his father, Dr. Robert Squire Gutsell, founded his medical practice here. They later moved to Carthage and he graduated from Copenhagen High School in 1939. Upon graduation, he lived with and worked for a farming family near Mexico, NY before joining the Army Air Force in 1943. Robert served as a combat and aerial photographer/gunner in the Pacific theater, earning a commendation for "great bravery and fortitude". After his discharge, he worked in Denver, CO for KTVR as a television camera operator, met and married Barbara Jean Wallace, and had two children while pursuing his vocation as a small plane pilot. In 1957 he moved back to the Ithaca area and built a house in Newfield. He worked for Cornell University as an electronics technician in the high energy physics facilities for over 25 years and retired with emeritus status. He was active in the Tompkins County Amateur Radio Club for many years, enjoyed sailing on Cayuga Lake, and continued to pursue photography as a hobby. Widowed in 1998 and predeceased by his son Raymond, he is survived by his daughter-in-law Cheryle, his daughter Caitilin, grandchildren Adam, Kelly, Bolton and Joellen, and great-grandchildren David and Ryan. He will be missed by all. Robert's motto: "The wild goose is my brother." Fly free!