December 18, 1930
February 17, 2006
Richard Joseph Goble was born December 18, 1930 in Grace Hospital, Vancouver, B.C. He passed away February 17, 2006 after a long and productive life. He moved with his family to Kamloops in 1939 and then to Qualicum Beach where he graduated in 1947. He worked for a logging engineer at Tofino and Euculet, spent a year on the Malahat Highway Reconstruction, and another in carpentry at Kamloops. In 1951 he went to Kitimat, working as a survey instrument-man in the early days of Alcan.
In 1954 Dick articled to Don Whyte in Kamloops and received his commission as a British Columbia Land Surveyor in 1958. He joined the partnership of McWilliam, Whyte, Serle and Goble and opened their Prince George Office, which later became McWilliam, Whyte, Goble and Assoc. He and partner Bill Serle formed the SERGO Cattle Company at Fraser Lake.
In 1969 he opened a survey office in Smithers and moved with his family in 1970. Dick loved his profession as a surveyor because it allowed him to travel the country extensively and meet many interesting people. Among his many surveys were B.C. Hydro Power Lines, sections of the Pacific Northern Gas Pipeline, Canadian National Railway, local and remote mines, residential and industrial development of Houston and Smithers. He continued to survey until the end.
Dick had many interests and hobbies. He was active as a Rotarian, served as president and was twice awarded the President’s Cup. He built and ran Bulkley Ridge Ski Hill, on Billeter Road, and provided a school ski program for a number of years. He ran a small herd of cattle and began a market garden. Those who knew him will remember that to every project Dick brought ingenuity, creativity and his own unique humour.
Dick will be missed and fondly remembered by his wife of 48 years, Kathy; his daughter Jo-
Anne and John Schibli; son David and Shelley Goble as well as grandchildren Eric, Craig and Trevor (Schibli), Joseph and Hilary (Goble). Of his three siblings, Leonard Goble, Margaret McAlpine and Shirley Watt, he is survived by his loving sister Shirley, as well as nieces and nephews.
Many thanks to Dr. Jakubec, Dr. Laskin, Dr. Latham, Dr.Haskins, Dr. Bastien, Lynne Shervill, Cancer Services, Red Cross, Smithers Community Care, Marg Bobick, Home Nursing Care, the Forsythe Family and the many friends and relatives who made Dick’s last days productive and entertaining.
In lieu of flowers, donations to The Meadows Assisted Living Project would be appreciated. (Smithers Community Services P.O. Box 3759, Smithers, B.C., V0J 2N0 250-847-9515)