When you talk to the Goebel family, it’s clear that love and laughter were constants in their home. Ron Goebel — a husband, father, neighbor, and friend — had a way of making everyone feel like family.
Whether it was cracking a joke, chatting with a neighbor he just met, or making sure his lawn lines were perfectly straight, Ron lived life with joy, generosity, and genuine warmth.
One of the most treasured things to Ron was being “Papa” to his grandchildren Mateo and Santiago. Ron loved spending time and spoiling them. Some of his favorite times were with Mateo, including giving him baths in the tub. Ron would turn on the jets with so many bubbles that and all you could see was Mateo’s face, his wife Janet, shared.
Ron passed away on May 12, 2023, from a subdermal hematoma, but his story didn’t end there.
Through his decision to become a donor — a choice he made long before his passing — Ron ensured that his spirit of giving would continue through others.
For Ron, the idea of donation came naturally. After seeing the impact organ and tissue donation had in his extended family, he was moved by how much good could come from one person’s decision. He also knew he didn’t want a traditional burial; instead, he wanted his passing to bring hope to others.
“He thought donation would be more beneficial,” his son Kyle shared. “That’s just who he was. He’d give the shirt off his back if someone needed it.”
Ron’s family recalls how easy and comforting the donation process felt during such a difficult time.
“I was amazed that shortly after he passed, one of the first calls I received was to let me know that he was a donor,” said Janet. “The person on the other end was so kind and explained everything. It was such a nice touch and brought us comfort.”
His daughter, Kelli, echoed the sentiment, calling the process “streamlined and simple,” allowing the family to focus on honoring Ron’s life while knowing his final wishes were being carried out.
“It means a lot to know that he’s still helping people today,” Kelli said. “He always wanted to make life better for others — and now, even after he’s gone, he still is.”
Ron’s family hopes that others will be inspired by his loving example.
“Just donate,” Janet said. “You can help so many, the amount of people you can touch — the gift you can give — is incredible.”
Ron’s legacy lives on not just through the lives he’s helped save, but in the everyday kindness he showed to everyone he met.
“He never met a stranger,” Kyle remembered. “He believed you never really know what people are going through, so he tried to make the world a little better with a happy mindset.”
Kelli, shared that her dad inspired her to “get out in the community, be kind, and get involved.”
The Goebel family cherishes so many memories — his playful teasing about Janet’s “lawn lines,” his enthusiasm for exploring the nearby rodeo in his snake boots and big grin, and his unforgettable dance mash-up with Kelli at her wedding.
Each memory paints the same picture: a man who lived fully, loved deeply, and laughed often.
Through his gift of donation, Ron continues to touch lives, as a reminder that one person’s kindness can ripple out farther than they’ll ever know.
His family takes comfort in knowing that his generous spirit endures — still helping, still giving, and still making the world brighter for others.
