Robert Goggin

ROBERT ST. LEGER GOGGIN October 14, 1936 – July 3, 2022 Wayne, Pennsylvania Robert S. Goggin (Bob) on July 3, 2022, of Wayne, PA formerly of Bryn Mawr and Philadelphia. Bob Goggin was, in the truest sense, a man for others. He devoted his time and energy to the many people he loved and causes he felt important. He brought his razor-sharp intellect, kind heart, puritan work ethic, and quick wit to endeavors large and small. Professionally, socially and within his own family he brought calm to chaos, reason to issues of consequence, help to those in need, and a smile in dark times. The love of Bob's life was his wife of sixty-one years, Jane Gallagher Goggin. Bob, one of two children living in the Olney section of Philadelphia fell in love with Jane, one of six children from South Philadelphia. An unlikely match that turned into a storied love affair. Bob, a USAF, ROTC cadet at St. Joseph's College was to be deployed upon graduation. This would have negatively affected his budding relationship with Jane. Law school provided a deferral. Upon graduation they were married and subsequently stationed in France for several years. Jane and Bob cherished this time in their lives as neither had ventured far from the city until then. The "Jane and Bob" do Europe stories never got old in their household, including the one where Jane lost her passport on the wrong side of "Check Point Charlie." Captain Goggin left the USAF and joined the US Attorney's Office criminal division in Philadelphia after which he joined a small five-person private law practice also located in Philadelphia. When Bob retired, the law firm, Marshall Dennehey Warner Coleman & Goggin, had grown into a multi-state, multi-disciplinary practice with over one hundred lawyers. Bob's claim to fame was winning the first defense verdict in an asbestos case, nationwide. This was instrumental in helping the firm corner the market in Johns Manville asbestos defense litigation. Bob loved being a litigator but mostly he enjoyed mentoring the other lawyers within the firm. He brought a rational civility to an otherwise brutal game and took great pride in watching those he mentored thrive. The wit of Bob Goggin was legendary. His ability to correlate any situation into comedy or take a legal argument from the sublime to the ridiculous caused many jurors, judges, lawyers, and civilians to breakdown with laughter in the courtroom, and friends to slap a knee over cocktails. Bob loved and admired his parents Bob and Sally Goggin, his sister Connie and brother-in-law Joe Stark. Bob and Jane sired eight children, Jane, Robert III, Suzanne, Garrett, Peter, Brendan, Keenan and Sarah. Despite his busy practice he always had time for his children and several others. His loving, calm and rational manner while dealing with the insanity, that a home with eight children inevitably brings, is a testament to his ability to draw upon his love first and his anger last. And he was tested! His mantra when it came to his children was, "to soften my boys and harden my girls." Through all the years his commitment to Jane was the gravity that continuously pulled family and friends close. Although ravaged by Alzheimer's disease for the last few years of his life which severely impaired speech, the only phrases he consistently remembered were, "Jane," "thank you" and "I love you." Bob leaves behind not only a loving wife and eight children but also seventeen grandchildren and countless friends. Bob's death leaves a gaping hole in the lives of many. He was truly a "shelter in the storm." His devotion to his many causes also leaves a fitting legacy. Bob served on the boards of St. Joseph's Prep, Saint Joseph's University, Sacred Heart Academy, and Overbrook Golf Club. Bob's Opus, which he threatened to write for decades entitled, "My Children Would Never Do That" remains unpublished! Relatives and friends are invited to his viewing Friday evening, 4:00 to 6:00 pm at The D'Anjolell Memorial Home of Broomall, 2811 West Chester Pike, 19008, then his viewing Saturday morning from 9:00 to 9:45 am, ALL IN CHURCH at St. Katherine of Siena, 104 S. Aberdeen Ave., Wayne, PA 19087, followed by his Funeral Mass 10:00 am. In lieu of flowers please send donations to Covenant House of Pennsylvania, 31 E. Armat St. Phila, PA 19144