Obituary of Rev. Robert E. Goode

Rev. Robert E. “Bob” Goode Allegany, NY Rev. Robert E. “Bob” Goode, 96, of Field of Dreams in Allegany, formerly of 4115 S. Nine Mile Rd. went to be with his Lord and Savior on Thursday (September 7, 2023). Robert was born in Emlenton, PA, June 16, 1927 to George and Grace Goode, the seventh child in a family of nine children. As a child, Bob attended Grade School in Pennsylvania and New York. While attending Ellicottville High School as a sophomore he left school to help on the family farm. It was in those years that Bob was given a Bible to read by a family member, and that forever changed his life. He accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior in 1946 in response to an invitation to attend the Little Valley Methodist Church. Robert then felt called to ministry and moved to Little Valley. He delivered milk door to door, until he decided to take an evening position at the Bordon Powdered Milk Plant so he could take classes during the day to finish High School, graduating in 1948. He later attended Houghton College graduating with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1954. It took 6 years to complete his degree as he worked full time and also met and married his beloved 1st wife, Alice Mae Harris. He then attended the Methodist Seminary in Westminster, MD and graduated with a Master of Divinity degree in 1958. Robert and Mae were married almost 40 years before her death. They had no children, but their years together were spent ministering in churches in NY and PA. Robert married again to his beloved 2nd wife, Vera (Reynolds) Goode whom he wed on January 5, 1991. He and Vera continued in ministry, and he was also employed as a rural route carrier for the US Postal Service in Eldred and Duke Center PA until his retirement in 1996. He also served as a Chaplain for the Olean General Hospital for several years. Robert spent more than 60 years in ministry, most recently serving in area churches in Allegany, Olean, and Salamanca. He and his wife Vera also hosted weekly Bible Studies in their home. Robert and Vera also loved to write songs and sing together accompanied by his harpsichord in church. Together they wrote over 100 songs. Serving and ministering to others was his greatest joy. He served his Lord faithfully throughout his life. Robert never saw a difference between ministry in church and ministry on his job. He sincerely loved people and was always willing to serve others. He was never ashamed of his faith and would share with others whenever he had the opportunity. Robert is survived by his beloved wife, Vera, and his stepchildren, Rick Reynolds of Ruskin Florida, Betty (Rodger) Hawkins of Lima Ohio, Mark (Diane) Reynolds of Salem Ohio, Rev. Rodney (Angela) Reynolds of Sidney Ohio, Kathy (Peter) Vas Nunes of Winterville NC, Tim (Xan) Reynolds of Perrysburg Ohio, and Mary Wieger of Olean NY, and his beloved niece Wendy (Roger) Chapman, and family of Olean, NY. He is also survived by a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. He was preceded in death by his 1st wife Alice Mae (Harris) Goode, father George and his mother Grace and his brothers and sisters, William Goode, Noma Brown, Bernard Goode, Helen Lidell, Betty Wetherby, George Goode Jr., Margaret Wright, and Patricia Irvan. The family will be present to receive friends on Monday (September 11, 2023) from 10am to noon at the Allegany Baptist Church, Maple Ave. in Allegany. A funeral service will begin at noon in the church. Rev. Mark Chapman, pastor, will officiate. Burial will be in Sunset Hill Cemetery, Ellicottville. Arrangements are under the direction of the Casey, Halwig & Hartle Funeral Home, Olean.