Robert Duane Godat

Robert was born in Howell Co Missouri to Edna & Harold Godat.

There will be Recitation of the Holy Rosary and Viewing Thursday, January 30, 2020 from 4-6 PM in the Prineville Funeral Home Heritage Chapel. Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday, January 31, 2020 at 10:00 AM at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Prineville. Interment will follow at Juniper Haven Cemetery in Prineville.

The family travelled to and settled in the Columbia River Gorge in the summer of 1952.  Robert proclaimed the Gorge to be the most beautiful place he had ever laid eyes on.  They settled in the small community of Bridal Veil, Oregon.

A young Robert worked as a hand on a local dairy farm, for the railroad, historic Multnomah Falls Lodge and the Bridal Veil lumber Mill.

He met and married his wife Lola Bixler in nearby Corbett Oregon where they made their home. A week before the wedding Robert was laid off. Family expected them to postpone the wedding but, they said they would live off their love. And live on love they did. They would celebrate 61 years of marriage in March. Together they raised Robert’s younger brothers and sisters and their own five children in a very loud home with much love and laughter. With their doors always open to any family in need a spare could usually be seen in the mix.

Robert went to work in the maintenance dept of the Corbett School District. He retired after 30 years of service in 1990.  He and Lola then relocated their second home in Prineville, Oregon.

Robert loved sports. He enjoyed coaching Little League Baseball when his kids were young.  As they grew and participated in other sports, he could be heard above the noisy crowd cheering them on.

His hobbies included hunting trips with family, fishing and gardening, often with kids and grandkids.  Teaching them all the ins and outs. 

He always had a project rebuilding or fixing something. It made him so happy to pass those skills on. 

Robert loved collecting antique tools and farm implements. He spent many years perfecting the hunt and dickering on prices.

Robert was most happy when surrounded by his family.  He had a great sense of humor, and an infectious laugh.  He was a great storyteller and would create vivid images of family past through those stories. 

It was important to Robert for his children to understand where the family came from and the values they stood for.

Robert passed peacefully January 25, 2020 surrounded by a large party of extended family.  Laughing and sharing stories he would have loved.

In addition to his parents he is preceded in death by his brothers Stephan Godat and Curtis Godat. 

Surviving him are his much-loved wife Lola Bixler Godat, Siblings, Linda Robison, Harold Godat, Sue Godat and Richard Godat. His children, Wade Godat, Brian Godat, Denise Godat Smith, Robert K Godat and Trudy Godat. 17 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Robert Duane Godat, please visit our floral store.