Robert (Bob) Godthaab

Robert "Bob" Godthaab, 71, of Owensboro died July 16, 2016 at Owensboro Regional Health Hospital. He was born in Union, NJ to the late George and Ruth Moore Godthaab. Bob was accepted to Dartmouth College on a one semester deferment and decided to attend Kentucky Wesleyan College, where he majored in English and minored in Speech and Theatre. As a junior, he began directing productions for the Rose Curtain Players (1966-1972) and was also instrumental in reviving the Theatre Workshop of Owensboro. From 1972-1979 Bob taught advanced English and directed many high school musicals at Ramapo High School in Franklin Lakes, NJ. It was there he and a group of parents established a summer stock program for high school and college students called On Stage, Inc. which remained a viable business for over 40 years.

Bob then moved to Tell City, IN where he was employed by the Tell City-Troy Township Corporation. He taught English and theatre at Tell City High School before moving to the junior high to teach English and serve as athletic director as well as assistant principal. From 1995-2010 Bob served as principal at Newman School before serving as the principal of William Tell Elementary and in 2010 Bob became Director of Curriculum and the grant writer for the school corporation. While in Tell City, Bob directed over 50 productions for Tri-Kappa (a philanthropic organization), Schweizer Fest Musicals, and Evangelical United Church of Christ, where he also served as the church organist/choir director for 31 years. He also taught speech, English and fine arts at the Branchville Correction Institution for Oakland City University for seven years.

In 2010 Bob accepted a position at Zion United Church of Christ in Owensboro as church organist/choir director. Upon moving to Owensboro in 2014, Bob also began working part time at GRADD.

Bob is survived by his wife of 39 years, Susan Omer Godthaab; a son, Scott R. Godthaab and his wife Jenny; a daughter, Elizabeth Anne Godthaab; and grandchildren, Grace Catherine Godthaab, Margaret Claire Godthaab, Graham David Godthaab, Baby Godthaab #4 expected July 27th, Georgia Anne Burden, and Eli Lane Burden.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday in the chapel of Glenn Funeral Home and Crematory. Visitation will be from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Monday and after 9 a.m. on Tuesday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Pleasant Grove Cemetery.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations to Hospice of Western Kentucky.
Condolences may be left for the family at www.glennfuneralhome.com