Robert M Golden

Robert Martin Golden, also known as “Bobby” was born on January 12, 1959. He went to heaven on October 30, 2024. He is preceded in death by his parents, Robert Vance Golden and Toshiko Tanaka Golden. Bobby is survived by his loving wife of 35 years, Barbara Rich, his sisters Barbara (Mike) Ryder, and Jeanne (Donald) Walton, Aunt Helen Groh, Aunt Pauline and Uncle Joe Eichelberger, cousins, nieces and nephews.

Bobby did not have any children of his own, but he was the best uncle ever to his nieces and nephews: Jeanne Edwards, Michael Williamson, Donny Culver, Mercedes Rosalez, Michael Ryder Jr, Kimberly Ryder, Moriah Ryder, Sarah Walton, Teddy Walton, and Hannah Walton. He sent money for Christmas presents and supported their school fund-raising efforts. Bobby was a big kid at heart - he loved to laugh, play, and have fun! Bobby gave people special names, but not all were kind. Nicknames like Fats, Fish, Egbert Nasal, Stink-a-Links, Miss Piggy, Snuffy, Stinky, and Lil’ Monkey come to mind. We’re sure that his favorite one was “Da Boo” - what he called his adoring wife. Bobby loved animals. He grew up with a Maltese dog named Chibe. Bobby and Barbara had a playful ferret named Bandit. Buster the dog came along next, then the cats took over - Tigger, Scruffy, Tiger, Mango, Blue-eyes, Misha, Willow, and Snooky.

Bobby grew up as a military brat living in Fort Knox, Kentucky; Camp Zama, Japan; and Aberdeen, Maryland. He was an avid stamp collector and excelled in his studies. He delivered newspapers and liked to save his money. He received a college scholarship and attended Tri State University in Indiana. Bobby was active in Delta Chi Fraternity and made many lifelong friends with his fraternity brothers and sisters. He struggled with the coursework for engineering for a long time before switching his major to business. His advice to young people would be to take general courses the first two years of college, then figure out what you want to do. He did not graduate at that time and moved back home to Hampton, Virginia. Bobby got a job at “Golden Pizza” in the Coliseum Mall. (Fun fact: through Bobby, both of his sisters got a job at the pizzeria and their parents worked at the owner’s home.) It was also at Golden Pizza that Barbara Rich and her daughter Brigette first met Bobby. He left Golden Pizza and worked in the finance and business industry for several years. It was during this time that Bobby decided to enlist in the U.S. Army as a Russian linguist, in the Military Intelligence branch.

Bobby had an exemplary military service. He studied diligently and worked very hard to succeed. He also excelled as a non-commissioned officer, leading and helping junior soldiers throughout his Army career. Bobby embraced his assignment as the First Sergeant of his military intelligence company. He was admired by his subordinates and respected by his peers and senior staff members. He was a committed, exemplary soldier who dedicated himself to professional excellence and inspired others to do the same. His military assignments would have him and his wife live in Sierra Vista, Arizona; Schofield, Hawaii; Fulda, Germany and San Antonio, Texas. He also deployed to Bosnia for a year-long peace keeping operation and had combat tours to Iraq for a year-long mission as well as serving in Kuwait. His military awards include: The Bronze Star Medal, three Meritorious Service Medals, four Army Commendation Medals, and six Army Achievement Medals. In addition, he earned a South West Asia Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal, and a Military Outstanding Volunteer Medal. He also earned the Army Air Assault Badge.

In his last assignment as the company First Sergeant, Bobby was involved in a training accident in 2009, that left him partially paralyzed. He persevered through two years of physical therapy and learned to walk again with the use of braces and canes. Barbara’s granddaughter Helen was a teenager and accompanied Bobby to his therapy sessions. His recovery inspired Helen to pursue a career of helping others by becoming a Doctor of Physical Therapy. Bobby was medically retired from the U.S. Army with

22 years of service. The trauma from his training accident developed into frontotemporal dementia with Lewy bodies. While enduring this challenging disease, Bobby cherished the sweet memories he had made with friends and family members. He was excited when relatives and friends would visit or call him.

Bobby will be remembered by his family, friends, and acquaintances as a most caring, loyal, and nonjudgmental friend; always seeking to understand your situation and be helpful. He was a devoted husband, an exceptional military veteran, the fun-loving relative, and a great friend to many. Bobby’s motto was “Enjoy Life!” He lived by his motto - he enjoyed spending time with friends and family as well as golfing, fishing, line dancing and karaoke singing. Bobby will be dearly missed.

Bobby’s Celebration of Life Service will be held at Sunset Memorial Park and Funeral Home at 1701 Austin Highway, San Antonio, Texas on January 17, 2025. Visitation will be 11:00-1:00, reception 1:00-2:00, and military honors will be held at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery at 2:45 pm.