Ronald Gooder

After a long illness, Ronald "Brent" Gooder, 81, passed away on Nov. 7, 2012, at his Jackson Hole home, with his children by his side. His Cesarean section birth on March 20, 1931, was said to be .the first such procedure performed in the Casper, Wyo. hospital, perhaps marking him for a future career as a physician. The son of James Lee Gooder and Florence E. Gooder, Brent would leave his mark on Mustang football before graduating from Natrona County High School's Class of 1949. He earned a bachelor's degree in 1953 from the University of Colorado at Boulder and went on to the University of Colorado School of Medicine in Denver, graduating in 1956. Following an internship at McLaren General Hospital in Flint, Mich., he joined the U.S. Air Force in 1957, attending the School of Aviation Medicine. He served in the Air Defense Command as the Division Surgeon for the 27th Air Division. After active service, Brent served five more years in the Reserves. Brent returned to Casper and began a lifelong career as a family doctor, obstetrician, and surgeon. In addition, he served as the FAA aviation medical examiner from 1959 to 1986. As a charter member of the American Academy of Family Physicians, he was named a fellow in 1973 and a lifetime member in 1997. He was president of the Wyoming chapter of the American Academy of Family Physicians from 1981 to 1984. Brent Gooder married Sara "Sally" Elizabeth Potarf on Dec. 22, 1951. Together they had four children: Ron Gooder of Casper, Wyo., Lynn Baker of Jackson, Wyo., Jim Gooder of Port Orchard, Wash., and Valerie Gooder of Ogden, Utah. Brent and . Sally later divorced. On May 31,1969, Brent married his soul mate, Donna Lou (Manning) Wroble. He became stepfather to Donna's six children: Fred Wrobleske of Utah, Jerre Wroble of Salt Lake City, Utah, James Wroble of Mendocino, Calif., Johanna Idzerda of Bloomfield, N.M., Janice Wroble of Phoenix, Ariz., and Joseph Wroble of Tempe, Ariz. An active member of the Shriners and Kiwanis International in Casper, Brent built a home on the foothills of Casper Mountain where the family raised horses and 4-H livestock. In 1986, he-closed his Casper practice and moved to Jackson Hole, where he co-founded the Gooder Family Care clinic. He retired in early 2000 and remained in Jackson, a place he said had fascinated him since his youth. There, he and Donna enjoyed cross-country skiing, boating, camping, hiking and bike-riding, Brent and Donna shared a passion for world travel, and together they visited 82 countries. They also enjoyed an annual trip to Las Vegas. Brent faithfully documented his travels with photos and videos, which he took great pleasure in presenting to family and friends. Preceding him in death were his parents -- James and Florence -- and his wife Donna, who died on June 29, 2011. He dedicated his life to his patients and family. He loved Wyoming, its wilderness, its wildlife, and its people. A celebration of his life will be held at Bustard's Funeral Home, 600 CY Ave., Casper, Wyo., on Saturday, Nov. 24, at 1 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations in Brent Gooder's name to Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, 5705 Grant Creek, Missoula, MT 59808 or online at RMEForg.

Service

Saturday, November 24, 2012 1:00pm

Bustard's Funeral Home

600 CY Avenue

Casper, Wyoming 82601