Phil Goebel

Phil Goebel was born to parents Louis and Gertrude and lived in a small farming community, Andrews, outside Huntington, Indiana. Together with his younger sister Karen, they lived on and worked 160 acres where they raised crops and livestock. In addition to farm chores, Phil was active in 4-H and took piano and flute lessons. After high school, he attended Valparaiso University for one year, considering careers in music or the ministry, before transferring to Purdue University to enroll in the newly-opened veterinary school. Phil worked as custodian and organist for the University Lutheran Chapel there, and he kept his photography darkroom in the basement. Phil was often hired to "shoot" dances and contest photos, which is how he met Diana. Phil and Diana were married in this same church in 1963 just after Phil completed vet school, a member of its first graduating class.

With his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in hand, he entered the Air Force as a First Lieutenant, and he and Diana were stationed in Athens, Greece for two and a half years. There Phil treated small animals and inspected all manner of food providers for the commissary. He traveled via Lambretta scooter while on base and in their Volkswagen Beetle for sightseeing. Diana and Phil made some lifelong friends among the other officers, and they traveled extensively throughout Europe during their time overseas. He was also able to further develop his passions for photography and woodworking in the hobby shop on base, and he served as choir director for the Protestant congregation there.

Phil finished his four years of military service at Hamilton Air Force Base in Novato, California, where he and Diana decided to make their home. In early 1970 they each had new projects: Diana was caring for their first child while Phil took ownership of his veterinary practice in San Anselmo. During the twenty-five years that he practiced veterinary medicine, Phil was also very active in church activities, serving as the organist for many years in their congregation at Grace Lutheran; he also continued his photography and woodworking hobbies and developed an extensive vegetable garden at their residence in Novato. He was a devoted husband and father, always putting others first and working tirelessly to help his neighbors with anything they might need.

Phil sold his clinic and retired from veterinary work in 1994 and didn't look back. He devoted himself to his music (he played the flute in the "Sewer" band and other ensembles), his gardening, working on church projects and singing in the choir at Resurrection Lutheran, and he was finally able to spend more time fishing. His woodworking projects included building the display cases and other cabinetry for the Novato History Museum and the Hamilton Military Museum. Phil and Diana continued to travel, and they enjoyed spending time with family, which came to include two grandchildren.

Phil's last years were physically very difficult, but he never wavered in his determination to continue doing things as long as he possibly could, no matter the effort involved. We rejoice that his suffering is now over and that he is with his Lord. Phil is survived by his wife Diana; his children Gretchen, Lynn, and Greg; his mother Gertrude; his sister Karen; and grandchildren Anna and Adam.