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Robert Gover Obituary
J. Robert Gover, an inspiration to many and a mentor to hundreds of writers, passed away at his Rehoboth Beach home on Monday, Jan 12, 2015, at the age of 85. He is the author of the cult classic One Hundred Dollar Misunderstanding, which was called "sensational" by Henry Miller and lauded by Gore Vidal, Joseph Heller, and other literary lions. Robert continued to write bestselling satirical novels during the 60s, 70s, and 80s. The Maniac Responsible was dubbed "brilliant" by Newsweek magazine, and Poorboy at the Party, with its razor view of society, foresaw the future we are living a half-century after its publication. In later years, he wrote nonfiction books on economic astrology, as well as three additional works of fiction. Robert generously served the literary community for six decades, and in 2013, the Gover Prize, an international literary award, was established in his honor. He is survived by Carolyn, his wife of 27 years; sons, Bryant and Damian Gover; stepson, Rob Landphair; and three stepdaughters, Jeannette, Juliette, and Nicole Landphair. Robert had five grandchildren, Amanda and Lauren Dickerson; Katie and Sammy Henneke; and Ivy Rose Gover.
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Memories and Condolences
for Robert Gover
Sponsored by Christopher Klim.
Christine Kannewurf
January 13, 2025
I met Robert through an on-line novel writing course while writing my first novel. He not only became a great teacher/mentor for me, he was a true friend. Many times I still find myself wishing I could reach out to him and ask his opinion on something I'm working on, or on situations in life and in our world. He had great wisdom and saw in me what I had to offer. I am better for having known him.
Christopher Klim
January 9, 2021
You were my spirit father and mentor. I miss you most every day.
Lennox Raphael
January 14, 2020
Robert Gover & I were the best of friends. He is greatly missed. Bless his Creative Soul+
Jim Cherry
November 2, 2016
I got to know Robert via email correspondence during the course of writing an article on Jim Morrison and he was kind enough to share his experiences. He was also generous with his time, taking the time to read one of my books. I reviewed one of his later books Two Brothers, and he tweaked a query letter I was sending out to agents none of whom showed any previous interest. After making the changes to the letter Robert suggested, suddenly agents were asking to read my novel. Thank you Robert.
David Beasley at the Simcoe fair
David Beasley
August 30, 2016
About 1960 in Manhattan, my friend the artist Clay Spohn called me to invite me right then to a small party at the Neiningers. Viola, my Burmese wife and I met Robert Gover, his girlfriend from out west, a blonde, and his two literary agents. We celebrated the publication of One Hundred Dollar Misunderstanding. He told me it had gone to every publisher in the U.S. and some of them twice. His agent Farkas [I think] sold it in France and it began its fortuitous journey. None of my books had found a publisher. Farkas read Aspects of Love, three novellas, and said it could not be printed in the US but might be in either Sweden or Germany. I declined. Maybe a bad decision. Gover remained in my mind as a symbol of never giving up. I never did and with the changes in publishing, my books are being read. Thanks Robert Gover for the inspiration.
Chrissy Coleman-Kannewurf
March 5, 2015
A dear friend and mentor. Robert wrote with a pen from God, an inspiration who brought light and wisdom to the confusion and chaos of the world and helped me to see beyond my narrower vision. As a budding author he took the time to give me thorough critiques and encouragement to the very last page. There is no better friend than that. I feel an emptiness knowing he is gone. Eventhough he has left behind a legacy of honesty, humor and love, the world will be a lesser place without him. My heart goes out to his family. He will be missed terribly.
Pamela Bergmann
February 17, 2015
As I ponder the loss of Robert I think of the day he and Carolyn opened the door; the sense that I had been there before. Soulmates with smiles as deep as their love Roberts's 60's stories and Carolyns heart from above painted yet a brighter picture of how I perceived love!!! A great man, influential writer, and a loving caring friend to all he loved.
GOD BLESS
Rick Zabel
February 16, 2015
I credited my thanks to Robert Gover in every book I wrote. He was a great mentor, as well as a great human being.
John LeConte
February 14, 2015
Bob helped with a book I wrote and made writing suggestions to me that I think about and incorporate every time I sit down and write.
Christopher Klim
February 14, 2015
Attached is the invite to the Robert Gover Memorial on Saturday, April 25 from 1 to 5pm at his wife Carolyn's home in Rehoboth Beach, DE. Sharing will occur from 3 to 5pm. If you plan on attending, please RSVP to his wife Carolyn.
Christopher Klim
February 14, 2015
Wow, Lennox. Love to see that entry.
Jesper Dalmose, Denmark
February 13, 2015
My very good friend, and co-curator of the Berlin Soup International ArtFestival, www.berlinsoup.org, Lennox Raphael, told me on one of our Copenhagen morning swims in January that he had lost a very dear friend, Robert Gover.
A few days later I received a text from him, LONELINESS OF THE LONG DISTANCE WRITER, about loss & life and dedicated to his friend.
I listened to Lennox talking about Robert and immediately said we should make a video. And so, a couple of days later, while it was snowing, we met in Assistens Kirkegaard, one of the most beautiful cemeteries In Denmark where, incidentally, some of the American jazz greats are interred, and started making this outdoor video that celebrates the memory of Robert Gover. Although I did not meet Robert while he was here in Copenhagen with Lennox, I am deeply touched by his passing & wish his friends & family the best.
Lennox Raphael
February 13, 2015
Most appropriate that this Guest Book is here today. Bob was a person of Love. He loved life, loving people, the human track of time and chance, and kept a clear mind creating stories, sharing fun, going beyond the ordinary easy, working like a champ, and he was one!, always busy of mind & reaching for the stars & relating the Heavenly to the Possible, the person I knew so well & felt so close to for over 50 years since we met at the home of Walter Lowenfels. Bless his soul as he continues on this journey that is itself the destination sought by those of us who seek contentment in silence & life in a grain of sand. Blessings. Memories are Immortal.
Julie Landphair
January 26, 2015
Bob brought a lot of joy to my mother and a lot of joy to thousands of readers. Rest in peace, Bob.
January 26, 2015
Soulmate,best friend,brilliant author, Renaissance man, my beloved to eternity and back.
Your wife and widow,
Carolyn
Peter James Quirk
January 21, 2015
Robert was my editor and friend for twelve years. God speed, Bob
Peter James Quirk
LENNOX RAPHAEL
January 18, 2015
Yes, a dear friend. Just can*t believe I will never see him again in this life- Lennox Raphael, Copenhagen
Mary and Dan Greene
January 18, 2015
Bob Gover lived fully as a thinker, writer, mentor, husband, father, and friend. Pushing the boundaries, Bob embraced his life's mission in good times and bad, among friends and foes. Bob had such life force, he worked like a rising star until the last few months.
And how many rebels have Bob's surprising capacity for patience and love? His phone conversations often revolved around his children and Carolyn's children. He was so proud, concerned, and grateful for happy reunions.
Most of all, Bob and Carolyn were true soul mates. We know Robert Gover was loved and cherished up to his last minute of life. Rest in peace, dear friend!
January 18, 2015
A dear friend. Just cant believe I will never see him again.
Matt Ryan
January 15, 2015
The world lost a great man. I couldn't feel more fortunate that our paths crossed many moons ago, and I can say that meeting Robert would change the course of my life for the better. Rest in peace, good man. You will be missed.
January 15, 2015
Bob was like a brother to me. We shared many important days together. He loved life and writing and taught me much. There is an empty place in my heart. Maryanne Raphael
January 15, 2015
Duff Brenna. I miss him and mourn him. A unique and often brilliant writer who influenced thousands of other writers. I've never known a more generous human being. He was truly one of a kind, sui generis.
Thomas E. Kennedy
January 15, 2015
Robert Gover was not only an enormously talented writer and true "radical realist" who contributed to the 1960s and beyond his genius, but overwhelmingly generous in sharing his knowledge, experience, his critical judgment, his love of literature, and his friendship. He will be missed, but his writing will survive him.
-Thomas E. Kennedy
Christopher Klim
January 15, 2015
Gover was a friend, burning light to many of us, and perhaps the last handhold on the spirit and passion of the 1960s. It's all too soon and sudden. Our relationship was profound and pure. Godspeed, Bob. You're Breaking on Through to the other side...
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