"We [the human race] are arguably half-baked." ~ Dr. Barbara Munson Goff
B. Goff, 61, dean at Cook
Home News Tribune Online 06/28/06
By RICK MALWITZ
STAFF WRITER
rmalwitz@thnt.com
RUTGERS - As the spring semester at Cook College was ending, faculty and students were aware that the health of professor Barbara Goff was failing. One day professor Richard Merritt called her home to wish her well.
"There was no answer. Then I called the college and she answered the phone. I said, "What are you doing there?' She said, "I have work to do,' " Merritt recalled.
Within a few days she was admitted to Robert Wood Johnson University in New Brunswick, where her husband, Fred, slept at her side for the final weeks of her life. She died Sunday night of complications due to pancreatic cancer. She was 61.
Born into a family that valued education, Barbara Goff graduated from Wellesley College and came to Rutgers as a graduate student in English in 1966. In 1973 Merritt, then dean of instruction at Cook College, hired her as an English professor.
At the time of her death she was assistant dean of academic programs at Cook College and director of the honors program.
"She loved the kids at Cook," said Fred Goff. "As pessimistic as I am, I'm an optimist when I meet her kids."
"She gave her heart to the college. This was her love," said Merritt. "She worked very diligently on the honors program - she was the mother of that group."
When a couple in the honors program announced their engagement, Barbara Goff told retired professor Jim Applegate they were the eighth couple who met in her honors program.
Twenty years ago Barbara Goff and Applegate helped create a required course for freshman, "Perspectives on Agriculture and the Environment."
"Learning was always part of her home," said Fred Goff, a South River native who met his wife while they took courses at the Rutgers graduate school.
Arriving in New Brunswick in 1966, her husband recalled, "Her first impression of the state was not very good. But she came to love New Jersey and love the people." After the couple lived in a formerly rural area of Franklin Township, they moved to the South River home where Fred Goff was raised.
Barbara Goff, who had majored in Victorian literature, came to Cook College as an English professor, when the college was building its humanities departments.
She recently explained her role: "I've had a hand in the making of many doctors and veterinarians. But I am as proud, if not prouder, of the university professors, high school teachers and math teachers, environmental lawyers, organic farmers, environmental and community activists, etc. Without any children of my own, they are a legacy I can feel good about."
Among her interests outside the college were backpacking, cinema, the opera and art.
She accompanied Cook College students on experiential learning courses.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The Rutgers University Foundation, with gifts designated to the Barbara M. Goff Travel Fellowship.
Her funeral will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Brunswick Memorial Home, 454 Cranbury Road, East Brunswick. Visiting hours will be from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. tomorrow.
Source: http://thnt.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060628/NEWS02/606280394&SearchID=73249235826571
She will be missed. :(
Home News Tribune Online 06/28/06
By RICK MALWITZ
STAFF WRITER
rmalwitz@thnt.com
RUTGERS - As the spring semester at Cook College was ending, faculty and students were aware that the health of professor Barbara Goff was failing. One day professor Richard Merritt called her home to wish her well.
"There was no answer. Then I called the college and she answered the phone. I said, "What are you doing there?' She said, "I have work to do,' " Merritt recalled.
Within a few days she was admitted to Robert Wood Johnson University in New Brunswick, where her husband, Fred, slept at her side for the final weeks of her life. She died Sunday night of complications due to pancreatic cancer. She was 61.
Born into a family that valued education, Barbara Goff graduated from Wellesley College and came to Rutgers as a graduate student in English in 1966. In 1973 Merritt, then dean of instruction at Cook College, hired her as an English professor.
At the time of her death she was assistant dean of academic programs at Cook College and director of the honors program.
"She loved the kids at Cook," said Fred Goff. "As pessimistic as I am, I'm an optimist when I meet her kids."
"She gave her heart to the college. This was her love," said Merritt. "She worked very diligently on the honors program - she was the mother of that group."
When a couple in the honors program announced their engagement, Barbara Goff told retired professor Jim Applegate they were the eighth couple who met in her honors program.
Twenty years ago Barbara Goff and Applegate helped create a required course for freshman, "Perspectives on Agriculture and the Environment."
"Learning was always part of her home," said Fred Goff, a South River native who met his wife while they took courses at the Rutgers graduate school.
Arriving in New Brunswick in 1966, her husband recalled, "Her first impression of the state was not very good. But she came to love New Jersey and love the people." After the couple lived in a formerly rural area of Franklin Township, they moved to the South River home where Fred Goff was raised.
Barbara Goff, who had majored in Victorian literature, came to Cook College as an English professor, when the college was building its humanities departments.
She recently explained her role: "I've had a hand in the making of many doctors and veterinarians. But I am as proud, if not prouder, of the university professors, high school teachers and math teachers, environmental lawyers, organic farmers, environmental and community activists, etc. Without any children of my own, they are a legacy I can feel good about."
Among her interests outside the college were backpacking, cinema, the opera and art.
She accompanied Cook College students on experiential learning courses.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The Rutgers University Foundation, with gifts designated to the Barbara M. Goff Travel Fellowship.
Her funeral will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Brunswick Memorial Home, 454 Cranbury Road, East Brunswick. Visiting hours will be from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. tomorrow.
Source: http://thnt.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060628/NEWS02/606280394&SearchID=73249235826571
She will be missed. :(