Bob grew up in Shutesbury, moving to Amherst at age 14. He started delivering the local newspaper to his neighborhood, including the Emily Dickinson House. In addition to this, he spent time in Shutesbury racing doodle bugs at his uncle’s gravel pits and developed a love for old cars and eventually became a member of several classic car clubs in Connecticut while owning various antique trucks and cars.
Early on Bob enlisted in the Navy where he proudly served on the USS Cutlass (SS-478) and USS Benjamin Franklin (SSBN-640). During this time, he met Virginia (Gini) Hirschfeld and began their whirlwind love affair in 1965. Shortly after their marriage, they welcomed their dear son, Todd.
After leaving the Navy, Bob worked in various construction industries in the New London County area until landing a position with Monsanto in Stonington Borough where he met many of his lifelong friends that he kept in contact with over the years. Early on Bob and Gini also developed a love for camping, including spending many summers at Hopeville Pond with Todd and making lifelong friendships.
Bob went to work for Stone and Webster at the Millstone Nuclear Power Station in Waterford, CT, which eventually transitioned over to Northeast Utilities. During his career there he was a maintenance mechanic and a quality assurance team member until retiring in 2000. During these years, Bob also participated in many organizations with his son including Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and baseball.
His steadfast love for his family did not end with Todd but carried over to his granddaughters. He spent countless hours with his granddaughters, Kat and Amanda, and most recently with great-grandsons, Mason and Carter.
After retirement, Bob and Gini continued their love for the outdoors, traveling by RV across the country. They would often spend months in Connecticut visiting family and friends before always returning to their special camp on Schoodic Lake in Maine.
One of Bob’s greatest joys was having his entire family at camp. Granddaughters, Kat and Amanda, developed their love for swimming, fishing, and boating with their grandpa.
Robert is survived by the love of his life, Gini Goodhind; son, Todd Goodhind and his wife, Kimberly; two grandchildren, Kathleen Goodhind and her fiancé, Sean Raymond, and Amanda Goodhind; two great-grandsons, Mason and Carter; brother, David Goodhind and his wife, Lynn; sister-in-law, Karen Hirschfeld; brother-in-law, Ralph Hirschfeld and his wife, Nancy; aunts, Phyllis Cote, Virginia “Polly” Clark, and Barbara Goodhind; brother-in-law, James Pinard; two loving cats, Harry and Sophia; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Robert was predeceased by his sister, Virginia Pinard; brother, Murray Goodhind III; and his beloved cat, Angus.
A celebration of Robert’s life will be held August 30th from 1-4PM at Montville VFW, 91 Raymond Hill Road Uncasville, CT. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to a charity of your choice in Bob’s name. Arrangements are in the care of the Lary Funeral Home. Messages of condolence and memories may be expressed at www.laryfuneralhome.com.
Click here to sign the guest book or honor their memory with flowers, donations, or other heartfelt tributes