Robert “Bob” Goodyear

Robert “Bob” Goodyear

Monticello

Robert “Bob” Goodyear, 85, of Monticello, passed away surrounded in love by his family after a courageous battle with cancer on Aug. 6, 2023. A visitation will be held on Aug. 10 from 4 to 7 p.m. at Goettsch Funeral Home in Monticello. A funeral service will be Friday, Aug. 11, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Anamosa with Pastor Rodney Bluml. A burial will follow at Wayne Zion Cemetery.

Robert Franklin Goodyear was born on May 12, 1938, to Lawrence Goodyear and Esther Frances (Bedell) Goodyear in San Diego, Calif. He had an older sister, Janet, and a younger sister, Mary Jo. Bob loved playing sports as he grew up and worked hard on his grandpa’s farm during the summers. He graduated from Monticello High School in 1956. Following graduation, he took a semester off from work to attend the special newspaper production school at the Iowa School of Journalism in Iowa City.

Bob and Janice Wilken married on Oct. 8,1961, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Anamosa, the church they continued to attend for decades after. The pair enjoyed dancing, traveling, and spending time with their family. Bob grew very close with Janice’s brother, Merlyn Wilken, and her brother-in-law, Harlan Pruess, referring to them as the brothers he had always wanted. Together, Janice and Bob had three children, Denise Kay, Darcey Jann, and Daniel Robert.

His junior year of high school, Bob got a job sweeping floors and washing windows at the local newspaper, the Monticello Express. He soon learned the basics of printing a newspaper and continued to work for the paper after high school. He honed his skills and was passionate about the art and craft of publishing a newspaper. He purchased the Express in 1974, and published the newspaper for decades. In 2000, he was named a Master Editor Publisher from the Iowa Newspaper Association. He loved sharing the newspaper experience with his family. His daughter, Denise, worked as his advertising manager and his son, Dan, operated the Monticello Printing Company alongside him. His son-in-law, Mark Spensley, sold advertising for him. Bob retired in 2004, selling the paper to Mark, Darcey and Dan, but kept his office in the Express building to putz around the building and check in on operations.

Bob was deeply involved in his community and supported many causes. His bright smile and witty charm made him friends all over town, and he was always the first to lend a hand to those in need. He was involved with Monticello School Foundation, Monticello Development Corporation, Monticello Chamber of Commerce, Monticello Ambassadors, Fourth of July Parade Committee, church committees, the Iowa Newspaper Association board, and the Monticello Fire Department. He was active and always on the go. For many years, he joined his friends to play tennis and pickleball and enjoyed the morning coffee group. He loved to travel with his family, watch a NASCAR race, and to cheer on the Iowa Hawkeyes. He had a lot of love in his heart, deeply cherished his relationships with his friends and family, and valued each moment he had on this earth.

Of all of his many titles, Bob’s favorite was “Grandpa.” He was incredibly proud of each and every one of his 12 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. He and Janice traveled across the state of Iowa to attend every sporting event, musical performance, and awards ceremony they could. He went above and beyond to make sure his grandchildren were safe, cared for, supported, and most of all, having fun. He had many silly catchphrases that always received big laughs, such as “I’m gonna sell you and buy a puppy!” or “As one shepherd said to another, let’s get the flock out of here.” His grandchildren adored him and will miss him immensely.

Bob is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years, Janice; children, Denise Hays (the late Dennis Hays) of Urbandale, Darcey (Mark) Spensley of Monticello, and Dan (Pam) Goodyear of Monticello; grandchildren, Allison (Kevin) Clark, Dillon Spensley (Kenzie Bush), Devin (Kally) Spensley, Macey Spensley (Matt Shofroth), Drew Hays (Emma Lippmann), Kendall Hays (Adam Hannan), Kassidy Hays (Connor Hudson), Wes (Erin) Hays, Wade (Amy) Hays, Olivia Goodyear and Gabe Goodyear; great-grandchildren, Sullivan, Sonder, Claire, Logan, Parker, Casey, Leah, Addy, Evan, Will, and TJ; brother and sister-in-law, Merlyn and Marlaine Wilken; brother-in-law, Bob Eilers; and many relatives, friends, and loved ones.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lawrence and Esther Frances Goodyear; sisters, Janet Lohmann and Mary Jo Eilers; in-laws, Ervin and Alvina Wilken; son-in-law, Dennis Hays; sister-in-law, Elaine Pruess; brother-in-law, Harlan Pruess; and grandson, Brian Hays.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Anamosa, or directed to the family to be donated in Bob’s memory to one of the organizations in which he was involved.