John Robert Goff

John Robert Goff was born on May 7, 1922 in St. Paul, MN. He graduated from the University of Minnesota in the Naval ROTC program.

During WWII, he was stationed aboard the USS Leutze DD-481 seeing action in the Pacific which included his ship being attacked by a Japanese suicide plane. He served nearly four years active duty as Deck Officer, Gunnery Officer, and Torpedo Officer, receiving the Purple Heart and Bronze Star. In 1945 his ship was returned to port in San Diego, CA. Due to tremendous damage the ship was ultimately decommissioned. John received some leave time and went home to St. Paul where he met the love of his life, Georgia Tainter, on the 15th hole of Keller Golf Course where she was competing in the Pro Gal Golf Tournament. They were married on October 5, 1945. He was honorably discharged on June 22, 1946.

John attended his first two years of medical school at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, and completed the final two clinical years of medical school at the University of Rochester in New York. He served his internship in Denver, CO and his Ophthalmology residency at the Mayo Clinic. John and Georgia moved to Fargo in 1955 where he practiced Ophthalmology at the Fargo Clinic until his retirement in 1987. Upon retirement, John and Georgia divided their time between Fargo, ND and Sun Lakes, AZ.

John was active in many community organizations including Rotary and Ducks Unlimited. John’s hobbies included hunting, fishing, and golf, which he shared with his wife, Georgia. John was an avid golfer and was Senior Medalist in the 1978 Pine to Palm and Runner Up in the North Dakota Men’s Seniors Golf tournaments.

John was surrounded by family when he passed away on June 9, 2016 at Sanford Hospital, Fargo, ND. He was preceded in death by his wife, Georgia, and his sister and parents. He is survived by his three children who were the center of his life: Judy Maurer (Dr. James W. Maurer), Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, Georgia Hartman (Dr. Robert G. Hartman), Liberty Lake, WA, and John T. Goff (Elisabeth Goff), Fargo, ND. He is also survived by seven grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

A beloved husband and father, John will be missed forever.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Wounded Warrior Project or a charity of your choice.