Jim Simpson has relayed the sad news provided by Joy Goodman that her partner, Bob Goodman, has passed away last night (Monday 27 June 2022).
Jim has previously advised the Vets that Bob had been unwell for a long time and in care, though his memory of his special time & involvement with OTC/NASA remained firm.
Bob had a high profile involvement in the co-ordination of international telecommunications services via OTC in support of NASA’s past space missions, not least the Apollo 11 Moon Landing on 21st July 1969.
Jim offered to share this sad news with colleagues who knew Bob during his working life:
- OTVA veterans
- John Sarkissian (Parkes Deep Space Radio Telescope) and Colin Mackellar, both of whom have close links with others that Bob worked with in those days in the NASA Tracking Stations in Tidbinbilla, Honeysuckle Creek
- Mike Dinn, former Deputy Director for NASA in Canberra.
The members of the OTVA have expressed their sincere condolences to Joy at this sad time.
In keeping with Bob’s wishes the funeral service will be a family/private affair.
5 Comments
This is indeed very sad news. Please accept my deepest condolences on your loss.
Beyond his loving family, Bob’s achievements were many, and his legacy still lives on with the Ceduna antenna being an active part of Australia’s radio astronomy network.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this sad time.
Vale Bob Goodman. RIP.
Regards, John Sarkissian
Operations Scientist
ATNF Parkes Radio Observatory
CSIRO Space and Astronomy
Joy, please accept our heartfelt condolences.
With Apollo 11, Bob was certainly a witness to history – and played a key role in allowing others around the world to enjoy it too.
But, of course, he was much more than that!
Please be assured of my prayers for you all in this sad time.
with very best wishes
Colin Mackellar
Honeysuckle Creek
How sad.
I recall having a lot of fun with Bob in I think it was Zimbabwe and/or Malawi many years ago when he ran OTC’s training and development activities. He was always good company.
My sincere condolences to Joy and family.
Regards
John Hughes
This is sad news indeed
Bob and I worked closely together in Marketing for a few years before I retired.
Hard to imagine he is no longer around
He and Feely were a close team after retirement
RIP Bob!
Len Wylde
Joy Goodman has advised that in keeping with Bob’s wishes the funeral service will be a family/private affair.
I have taken the liberty of emailing Joy a PDF copy of the OTVA’s Newsletter of 2nd June 2019, This was a special edition, prepared in advance for the 50th Anniversary celebrations of the Apollo 11 Moon Landing (21st July 1969) on 21st July 2019.
It includes several mentions, not least on the front page, of Bob’s well recognised contribution during that historic time that highlighted Australia’s key role in NASA’s space missions to the world. Whilst few know, those same links between NASA & Australia remain in place & are no less active to this day.
I hope it provides both Joy & her immediate family with an appreciation of the respect & accord that Bob was held in by his fellow associates in OTC at that time.
We learned much from Bob & in later years, I was proud to have followed in his footsteps, managing the commercial side of OTC’s International Satellite TV & Broadcasting business interests.
Warmest regards and deepest condolences
Jim Simpson