Robert E. Gomoll

Robert E. Gomoll, age 75, passed away Tuesday, November 19, 2024, from the effects of ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) at Mercy Hospital, Dubuque, Iowa.  Robert was born April 8, 1949, in Clinton, Iowa, the son of Earl & Ruth (Spahn) Gomoll. After   high school graduation, Rob attended the University of Iowa until transferring to University of Wisconsin-Platteville. He graduated in 1972 with a bachelor's degree in secondary education, and in 1976 received his Master of Arts degree from Loras College, Dubuque, IA.

While a student at Platteville, he met Linda Lageson, who, blessedly, happened to be in some of the same classes. Rob & Linda were married at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Clinton, IA on January 22, 1971.

Robert was a teacher at Dubuque Senior High School from 1972 until retiring in 2009. He subbed throughout the school district for a year, and then went on to the University of Dubuque where he was Adjunct Professor of English from 2010 to 2022.  While a teacher at Dubuque Senior, Rob was a wrestling trainer for 2 years. He wrote the Senior High Homecoming pep song in 1989, which is still performed every fall, and was the Dubuque Community School District Teacher of the Year in 1990.

Rob enjoyed yardwork, reading, especially from the Bible, and was an accomplished writer, writing plays for radio, theater, articles for several magazines, short stories, and many poems.  He was a very active member of St. John's Lutheran Church, loved spending time with his family, was a recent member of the Ring 93 Magic Club, and loved learning and performing new tricks.

Robert was defined by his sheer strength both of character and in the literal sense. With his love of bodybuilding at his peak, he had a nearly 50-inch chest and 19-inch arms and could have been mistaken for a professional wrestler if he wasn't carrying a book about American Literature or writing a poem.

Those left to cherish him are his wife of 53 years, Linda;  children, Brian Gomoll and Michael (Andrea) Gomoll; granddaughter Cora (fiancé Ryan LeMay) Gomoll, all of Dubuque; his sister, Evelyn (Jerry) Sexton of Geneseo, IL; his mother-in-law Vivian Lageson, and sister-in-law Sandra Schober, both of Blanchardville, WI; also, nieces in England, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and family friends. Robert was preceded in death by his parents Earl & Ruth Gomoll, and father-in-law Erling Lageson.

Robert's memory will be cherished by all. Each day spent with him made everyone feel like the luckiest person on the face of the Earth.

Visitation and funeral services were held Nov. 25, 2024, at the Leonard Funeral Home in Dubuque, with Rev. Chuck Peterson officiating. There will be a family burial service at Old York Cemetery this spring.