Born: March 14, 1929 - Deceased: January 20, 2022
Robert ‘Bob” Goalby, 92, of Belleville, IL, born Thursday, March 14, 1929, in Belleville, IL, passed away Thursday, January 20, 2022 in Belleville, IL.
Bob graduated from Belleville Township High School in 1947 and became a Professional Golfer in 1956. During his career he won 11 PGA Tour events; the most prestigious being the 1968 Masters. He later became an analyst for NBC Sports and designed many golf courses. Bob dedicated his life to the growth of sports throughout the country and especially the Belleville area.
He was preceded in death by his:
- Parents: George and Helen, nee Towers, Goalby
Surviving are his:
- Wife: Arlene Goalby
- Sons
- Kye (Paige) Goalby of St. Louis, MO
- Kelly (Julia) Goalby of St. Simons Island, GA
- Kevin Goalby of St. Louis, MO
- Grandchildren
- Katherine
- Claudia
- Frances
- Robert II
- Step children
- Kathy (Keith) Lance of St. James, NC
- Steve (Terri) Abeln) of Sebastian, FL
- Ann (Dennis) Nadler of O’Fallon, IL
- Sister: Shirley Haas of Belleville, IL
- Niece: Cindy (Joe) May
- Nephews
- Jay (Jan) Haas
- Jerry (Elizabeth) Haas
Memorials: In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to: Turf For The Teams, 920 N. Illinois, Belleville, IL 62221 www.turffortheteams.org
Services will be scheduled at a later date.
21 Comments
Thanks for all you did for Maur Hill-Mount Academy -Bob Goalby Open. The tournament is in its 41st year raising money for the school. RIP Bob
Rest in eternal peace after a long life well-lived, Bob. Thank you for helping me.
Dear Arlene:
We were very saddened to learn of the passing of your dear husband, Bob.
While we didn’t know him very well, we do know he was a real
gentleman, and a terrific ambassador to the Lakes Country Club.
Though we (as many others) will miss seeing him around, may he Rest In Peace!
I know your memories will keep him alive; because the ones we love are never gone…..but
they live within our hearts!
Please accept our deepest sympathy,
Bob was a friend of Ollie & Ken Kosar , Elsie Winter , Lillian Murdoch and Emily Jakes. They always spoke so highly of Bob.
Please accept our deepest condolences….
And yes he did win fair and square…..
I first met Bob in the early 70’s. He would come into our store and purchase a Valentine box of heart shaped chocolates for his bride Arlene. I gift wrapped that box for the first time he came in. From then on he sought me to gift wrap a box of candy for her. During those visits and when I saw him in other places we had great conversations about golf and the progress that Jay was making on the PGA tour. I will always cherish those memories. My condolences to Arlene and family. Rest in peace Bob.
There is a void in the game today
Bob was a grand man and a grand champion
He was so good to me growing up
RIP Goalbs!
I noted, Mr. Randolph, that you were assigned to cover the 14th Hole of the Final Round of the 1968 Masters so you saw Goalby’s birdie at 14 “live” as it happened. (Thanks to ‘The Masters’ for uploading that telecast to YouTube in 2018 so everyone could see what transpired that Sunday).
Bob was a friend of my dad, Ed Dahm. Bob and his sister Shirley practically grew up with My Dad and our relatives on 78th street. He was so good to my family. My sympathy to you all.
Bob Goalby was special person and golfer! He was the model for golfers, Tour Professionals on how to represent themselves and the game. He always had time to help me with my game and answer questions. I will never forget the kindness, time and wisdom he shared.
Love You,
Mr. Goalby
Bob was a friend of my dad’s, Ed Dahm. They would sit in the chairs at the driving range almost daily, work on the Belleville high school donations together and were friends since their early years. My sympathy to the Goalby family from the Dahm family.
Bob was not only generous with his time, but a real joy to be with. His wit and story telling will be greatly missed . I enjoyed every visit with him.
Arlene and family,
We are saddened at the news of Bob’s passing and thankful for the opportunity to have know him. His warmth and personality always brightened the day with his stories and humor. He represented Belleville for decades as an Ambassador, always with dignity and humility. Please know you are in our thoughts and that we will forever be appreciative to have called him friend.
Vicky & Terry Schaefer,
The Cruncleton Family
I’ve been participating in the Maur Hill Bob Goalby fundraiser golf tournament since 1983. I remember Bob giving bunker lessons before we played 3 different times over the years. Bob was extremely knowledgeable, understood the concept and made it look relatively easy to not be afraid of playing a bunker shot. He would also ride around in a cart and visit and play a golf shot with all the different groups. He really made for a fun day every year at this event, and a great learning experience. We are all better people for knowing Bob, and I truly am sorry for the loss of great ambassador for the game of golf, and his family. Thanks for sharing your time and talents…RIP Bob
I learned to play golf on Mr. Goalby’s course in Shiloh, I think it was, so many years ago. And the first time I saw the Master’s on tv was that 1968. I had the pleasure of meeting him one time when introduced by Jay Randolph at a charity golf tournament. My sincere sympathies to his family and “Thank you” for sharing him with the public. He was a class act, a gentlemen and left his mark on the PGA as well as golf in the US…
My sincere sympathy to the Bob Goalby family. My family lived across the back yard of Bob’s parents and my brother, Bob, and Bob Goalby played together in many golf tournaments in Bellevile and surrounding areas. Bob and his family were outstanding individuals, and we enjoyed many visits and croquet games with them.
Arlene,
So very sorry to know of Bob’s passing. The Lakes will never be the same without him, or the good times with the Lippmans on Loredo Lane. Doug appreciated Bob’s talk at Canadian Club of the Desert, which helped him out so much. Thinking of you with great sympathy.
Barbara and Doug Baldwin,
Calgary, AB
Kye, Kelly and Kevin – Sending condolences to all of you on your Dad’s passing. He was a celebrity at St. Clair yet took time to visit with everyone. I’ll always remember his deep voice and lively storytelling. Certainly you have wonderful memories to draw on when you are feeling the loss.
With sincerest sympathy,
Cece (Voigt) Strand
Thank you Cece..we tried to find you!!
Thank you!!
🙏
My dad, Robert Kosar, grew up in a house that was almost next to Bob Goalby’s in Bellville, Il. They caddied at the same course, played high school competitive golf together, and engaged in a few high school hijinks! They were friends and stayed in contact with each other for their entire lives. I first met Bob in 1972 when he was playing in the Western Open in Illinois.
I am sorry to hear of his passing. I liked him and I thought he had a good sense of humor about golf.
Bill Kosar
So proud to learn about his legacy while younger
I had the wonderful pleasure of meeting Mr. Goalby at one of Greer Industries annual golf outings at Laurel Valley Golf Club in PA in 2009. I was honored to be a part of his foursome. What a true gentleman he was. Very quick witted and had some great stories. RIP Mr. Goalby