Robert William Goeke, Sr.

Robert Goeke, Sr. was a loyal businessman in his community for many years and his professional demeanor earned him the confidence and respect of others. Beyond this distinction, however, he was a man of great compassion and hospitality. Family and friends alike always knew they could count on Bob's generous, loving spirit whenever they needed it most. His years of dedication allowed him to touch the lives of many.

Although the country was in the midst of the Great Depression in the 1930s, life went on. The average salary was $1,368, and the Ford Motor Company was well on its way to making automobiles accessible to the common man. In Minneapolis, Minnesota, Paul Goeke, Sr. made his living working in the automobile industry at Willis Overland Jeep Automobile and later at Jones & Maley Desoto Plymouth as general manager. Already the proud parents of son, Paul Jr., on Valentine's Day in 1934, Paul and his wife, Esther (Miles), were delighted to greet their second son, Robert William.

Robert spent just a few years growing up in Minneapolis, and a very short time in Cincinnati, Ohio, before his family came to live in Indianapolis, Indiana - he was 3 years old. Here Robert received his education at School #66 and Shortridge High School, where he played in the Junior Vaudeville productions and participated in the Culver Military Summer Program. After graduating from Shortridge in 1952, he went on to attend the University of Kentucky, Hanover College and Indiana University.

During high school, Robert followed in his father's footsteps and began working at the Jones & Maley Desoto Plymouth Dealership. Then, in 1954, his father founded the Goeke Automotive Groups in Noblesville, a Dodge, Chrysler and Plymouth dealership, and Robert soon went to work for his father. Eventually, when Robert's father retired, he became the President and Owner of the dealership until it was sold in December of 2005, though he actually retired in 2003. As a respected businessman, Robert was awarded numerous awards by the Chrysler Corporation for his outstanding sales and service through the years. In addition, he was also the proud recipient of the Herman R. Goodwin Civic Service Award presented to him by the Indiana Dealers' Association.

Robert met his wife, Marilyn Maley, in high school; they were in the same class. In fact, he took his first steps in the auto industry working for her father, Charles Maley, at Jones & Maley. Robert and Marilyn were only thirteen when they had their first date, but this young puppy love blossomed into true love and they were married on April 28, 1962, at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church by Monsignor Clement Bosler. The newlyweds honeymooned in Nassau and Miami Beach, Florida, before settling down to married life together. They soon started a family of their own and became the proud parents of three wonderful children: Lynda, Cynthia and Robert William Jr.

Besides being a loving and devoted husband and father, Robert valued his community and was actively involved in many civic organizations. His memberships included in the Indianapolis Athletic Club, Columbia Club, Phi Delta Theta Fraternity Corporation Board of the Indiana Alpha Chapter, Noblesville Elks Club, Indiana University Alumni Association, The Children's Museum of Indianapolis, Meridian Hills and Woodland Country Clubs, Player's Club, Contemporary Club of Indianapolis, Lamb's Club, Allemanders/Promenaders, 500 Festival Association, Legatus, Saint Luke Catholic Church, Doer's Club, Classic Car Club of America Indiana Region and the Indiana Automobile Dealer's Association. Robert was also awarded the prestigious Sagamore of the Wabash by the late Governor Frank O' Bannon, as well as the Kentucky Colonel presented to him by Governor Paul E. Patton.

His family and friends will miss Robert for his hospitable and generous nature and thank the numerous healthcare professionals who have assisted and supported Robert and the family over the past 10 years.

Robert William Goeke, Sr. of Indianapolis, IN died on Thursday, January 12, 2006, at the age of 71 following a long illness. His father, Paul D. Goeke, Sr., his mother, Esther M. Goeke, and his brother, Paul D. Goeke, Jr., preceded Robert in death. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Marilyn Ann Maley Goeke; his daughters, Lynda Michelle Goeke of Indianapolis and Cynthia Ann Goeke (Brian) Sweeney, of Carmel; his son, Robert William Goeke, Jr. of Douglas, Michigan; and four grandchildren.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, January 18, at 11:00 a.m. in the St. Luke Catholic Church. Friends and family will gather on Tuesday, January 17, from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the Leppert Life Story Mortuary, Nora Chapel. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a memory of Bob or in lieu of flowers, make a memorial contribution to either The Children's' Museum of Indianapolis, Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, the Alzheimer's Association or Riverview Hospital Memorial Foundation.