Robert ‘Bob’ Goth, 62, of Muncie, Ind., passed away on Wednesday, July 13.
He was born Dec. 5, 1953, in Muncie, the son of Dale Goth and Linda (Redmond) Shepherd. After graduating in 1972 from Wes-Del High School, he went on to explore various occupations, from delivering Pepsi Cola, owning his own business, to operating heavy-duty construction machinery.
All this time, he never lost his love for racing, which had begun back in high school where many hours were spent north of Muncie drag racing. His interests lead to several years living in Decatur, Ind., where he and his partner successfully competed in drag racing throughout the United States. They accumulated many wins and trophies and were most excited about being featured in a national magazine, Super Stock, with Goth’s picture on the front cover.
He always said “There is always a story,” and his life story abruptly ended drag racing when his grandpa in Portland became terminally ill and needed someone to help with his horses. Goth quickly stepped-up, moved to Portland, and not only helped care for his grandparents, but changed his love for car racing to horse racing.
He went back to school and studied at IU East at Richmond. He became water superintendent for the City of Portland, where he was employed from 1982 through 1991. He later worked this same position for Gaston, Ind. In 2007, he turned part time horse racing into full time. This became his final occupation, ending with his last two years of medical problems.
But as the story goes, he really had been involved with harness racing all of his life. He had started as a youngster and travelled with his beloved grandparents, Robert and Viola Burk, to tracks throughout the midwest. So for the last 35 years, Goth had been very active as an owner, breeder, trainer and driver of horses, thus continuing a line that includes three generations of horse trainers. For many of those years he successfully raced horses on the tough Chicago circuit.
Organizations which he was involved with and supported were the United States Trotting Association, Indiana Training Trotting & Pacing Association, Standardbred Owners & Breeders of Indiana, Illinois Standardbred Owners and Breeders Association, Michigan Harness Racing Association, Illinois Harness Racing Association, and Jayland Trotting Association of Portland, Ind.
Goth counted his most precious treasures as his family and the many friends he acquired during his life journey. He was most grateful for these friendships (far too many to be able to mention) but also to his doctors, IU Ball Memorial doctors and staff, AMG doctors and staff, ambulance staff, Muncie’s firefighters, Muncie’s policemen, and his home nursing staff that along with family, assisted him these past two years.
He is survived by his father, Dale (Linda); mother, Linda Shepherd; sister, Connie; brother, John (Karen); nephews, Ben and Tim; stepsisters, Lisa Kerr, Susan Hayden, Karen Tolley and Tracy King; special friends and extended family that include Jean Marks and John Shepherd; and many aunts, uncles and cousins. He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Andrew (A.J.) and grandmother, Fern; and grandfather, Bob and grandmother, Viola Burk.
A celebration of life service will be held at the Jay County Fairgrounds inside Bubp Hall at 7 p.m. on Sunday (July 17). Calling will also be inside Bubp Hall from 6 p.m. on Sunday until the time of service. A memorial mass will be held on Monday (July 18) at St. Lawrence Catholic Church, Muncie, at 9 a.m. with Father David Hellmann officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Jayland Trotting Association, 1932 East 300 South, Portland, IN 47371, or any charity of your choosing.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at parsonmortuary.com.
Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Bob Goth.
(USTA)