General Information
Full Name: Robert Goodkin
Date of Death: Saturday, November 22, 2025
Dr. Robert Goodkin, age 87, passed away peacefully at St. Joseph’s Wayne Medical Center with his loving family by his side.
Bob attended Allegheny College and went on to earn his Master’s and Doctorate degrees from Florida State University. He maintained a practice in psychology in Wayne for over 50 years as well as a professor at Fairleigh Dickinson University and Montclair State University, where he was adored by students and respected by colleagues.
Bob loved to travel and was a gifted photographer. He captured extraordinary images of the people and places he encountered on both film and on his always available sketch pad, adding to his portfolio of hundreds of sketched faces. He played piano and guitar and had an appreciation for every kind of music and all of the arts. His home was filled with books, artwork, sculpture, and his own photographic work, reflecting the creative intellectual spirit that defined him. Bob was constantly sketching, writing, listening, and learning. He published numerous studies and research articles, and in 1981, his book, A Therapist’s Notebook was published.
Bob was married for 55 years to his childhood sweetheart, Diane, with whom he shared adventures and joy, as well as the devastating loss of their beloved children, David and Janet. When their granddaughter Rachel lost her mother, Bob arranged for her to live with them so she could remain in her school and community, and acting as both her Papa and as another father figure in her life. Bob’s granddaughters, Brittany and Rachel, were the light of his life, and always looked forward to their special outings with “Gaggi and Papa”. Bob later became a proud great-grandfather to Amber and Scarlet, daughters of Brittany and her husband, Brandon, and he was thrilled when Rachel became engaged to Brian.
Bob cared for Diane with extraordinary devotion through the ravages of diabetes. After her passing, Bob was blessed through his next chapter of life with Patty, who brought joy, love, and renewed adventure. They shared a deep love of art and music, traveled together, and continued to enjoy their mutual passions. He embraced Patty’s warm, close-knit family. They loved him as well, the grandchildren calling him “Bobbo.” Patty was always by his side through his declining health, caring for him with positivity, practicality, tenderness, unwavering support, and a sense of humor.
Bob experienced life with passion, curiosity, and courage. He faced both its greatest gifts and its deepest sorrows. He passed peacefully, surrounded by his family. Bob is survived by his brother Franklin Goodkin and sister-in-law Judy; sister-in-law and brother-in-law Marcie and Richard Seninsky; granddaughters Brittany Goodkin Fernandez (Brandon) and Rachel Hannagan (Brian Miskar); his great-granddaughters Amber and Scarlet; many cherished nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, and grand-nephews; and his dear companion, Dr. Pat (Patty) Neary-Ludmer.
He will be deeply missed by his family, his friends, his students, his colleagues, and the many
patients whose lives he touched.
Dr Goodkin was a counselor and friend to my husband and I for a number of years during that time Dr Goodkin exhibited much love and caring to all who crossed his path. Dr Goodkin will be greatly missed. He was a true gift to this world You will be truly missed
Bob was the first to extend a welcoming hand when I first came to Montclair State University. He was one of the greatest sages in the psychology department. He stood out as a quite pillar of justice, peace, and harmony in a particularly tumultuous department. I will always remember Bob as a soft spoken soldier who always had my back. A colleague and mentor who advised me well on academic and personnel matters and contributed significantly to my professional success. I appreciated him ans a friend who had a high spirited sense of humor which he kept on reserve. I will always raise his name in prayer. May he rest in peace
Dr. Goodkin was my therapist since I was 13 (I am 23 now). I am deeply sad for the loss of Dr. Goodkin; he will be missed greatly. He was such a joy to speak to, through thick and thin, he was there for me. He helped me so much, words can’t explain. May he rest in peace.
Dr Bob Goodkin was my general psychology teacher back in 1970 at FDU Rutherford and again in Graduate school at Montclair State. I also went to him for supervision. I knew Bob pretty well for over 50 years and loved him very much. I recall the smell of his pipe tobacco. He was so kind to me, attentive, supportive, accepting and a friend. I will miss him very much. I feel the sadness of this great loss of a great man in my life. God Bless you Bob and your family.
Bob Goodkin was a “one in a Billion man”. His knowledge, talents, and love for people could not be matched by anyone. Sometimes I think on our wonderful relationship of over 45 years and I can’t help but thank God for making him such a significant part of my life. His passing has saddened me deeply because he touched my heart in a way t could never explain. Bob believed that death meant all was over. I told him how I disagreed, Right now, I believe he is joined with his wife, Diane, his 2 children, his parents, and whomever else he happened to love who entered that “special place” most of us call “Heaven”. And who else would deserve such a state of joy and peace more than Bob Goodkin? I love you so much. I always will. And I look forward to seeing you again, along with those others who happen to be my “loved ones”. God bless you, Bob! You were a “true gift” and I’ll treasure your love for always.
Bob Goodkin was a “one in a Billion man”. His knowledge, talents, and love for people could not be matched by anyone. Sometimes I think on our wonderful relationship of over 45 years and I can’t help but thank God for making him such a significant part of my life. His passing has saddened me deeply because he touched my heart in a way t could never explain. Bob believed that death meant all was over. I told him how I disagreed, Right now, I believe he is joined with his wife, Diane, his 2 children, his parents, and whomever else he happened to love and entered that “special place” most of us call “Heaven”. And who else would deserve such a state of joy and peace more than Bob Goodkin? I love you so much. I always will. And I look forward to seeing you again, along with those others who happen to be my “loved ones”. God bless you, Bob! You were a “true gift” to this earth and I’ll treasure your love for always.