Goodrich, Robert P's Obituary
Robert Phillips Goodrich was born April 11, 1935 in Dallas, Texas. Robert was the first of two sons born from the loving marriage between Virginia Bertha (Irwin) and Thomas Eldon Goodrich. Robert and his brother, Dickey, grew up in Oak Cliff.
After graduating from Adamson High School in 1953, Robert enlisted in the Marines. He credited the Marines with giving him many gifts that helped him achieve success over the course of his life, including discipline, character, and purpose. After basic training, Robert was assigned to the USS Oriskany, an aircraft carrier known as the “Mighty O,” where he served as a Marine Master Sergeant during the Korean Conflict. The Mighty O was purposely sunk in the Gulf of Mexico in 2006 and is the world’s largest artificial reef, called “The Great Carrier Reef.” Robert earned a National Defense Service Medal and a Good Conduct Medal for his service.
Robert returned to Dallas in 1957 to pursue an engineering degree at Arlington State College (now known as the University of Texas at Arlington). At the first Freshman dance, Robert and Carolyn locked eyes and were inseparable ever since. Robert loved to tell the story of how they fell in love at first sight. They were engaged over Christmas holidays and married on March 14, 1958. Bob’s greatest blessing was his family, whom he loved dearly.
Robert graduated from Arlington State College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering in January 1963. He began working at General Dynamics after graduation. While there, he worked on a team to develop the F-111 Aardvark supersonic combat aircraft. The Aardvark performed multiple roles in the Vietnam War including strategic bombing, reconnaissance, and electronic warfare. Robert, along with his best friends Earl Webb and Jim Bourgeois, were entrusted with redesigning and improving the Aardvark’s avionics. Robert lived in Thailand for several months assisting with the oversight of the F-111 during the Vietnam War.
In August 1966, Robert received his Master of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from SMU. Over the years, Robert became known as “Mr. Microwave” for his specialty in inventing and building microwave RF receivers and parametric low noise amplifiers for satellite communications.
On October 1, 1982, Robert and Carolyn, along with their best friends, Earl and Jan Webb, started a satellite communication business in Garland. Satellink, Inc. was successful from its start and is still in operation today. Satellink has supplied amplifiers for numerous satellite communication programs including classified military and DOD programs, NASA projects, and radio astronomy applications. The Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines, FAA, Department of Commerce, NASA, and many other government agencies have antenna terminals with low noise amplifiers and other communications equipment manufactured by Satellink. Robert was dedicated to his employees and customers and worked even in his very last days to make sure that their needs were met.
Robert was stoic, humble, rugged, brave, strong-willed, positive, gracious, kind, optimistic, and always happy. He loved his family and friends with all his heart. He taught his children to be disciplined, value education, be productive, and to love God and family. He encouraged them to “Be Happy.” Robert’s grateful heart, kindness and sense of humor was infectious and those who had the chance to know him loved him. Even in his recent hospital stay, the nurses affectionately referred to him as “Papa” and even when they were not assigned to his care, they would check on him, encourage him, and pray for him.
Robert is survived by his wife of 67 years, Carolyn Lillie (Decker) Goodrich, their three children and five beloved granddaughters: Robert Phillips Goodrich, Jr. and wife Debra of Plano and Phillip’s children, Katherine Michelle and Kristen Nicole; Mary Alice Goodrich Nix and husband Steve of Dallas and their children, Madeleine Sophia and Lauren Virginia; and Lillie Rachelle Goodrich of Richardson and her daughter, Alexandria Rachelle. Robert is also survived by his brother, Dick and Patti Goodrich, his brother-in-law, John and Kathy Decker, and by nieces, nephews, and extended family.
The family requests that memorials or donations be made in Robert’s name to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation.
https://fundraise.givesmart.com/vf/PFFTribute/RobertGoodrich
What’s your fondest memory of Robert?
What’s a lesson you learned from Robert?
Share a story where Robert's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Robert you’ll never forget.
How did Robert make you smile?
