Robert Layne Goodman

He was born to Duke and Maxine Goodman on March 13, 1942 in Simon, West Virginia. He moved to Miami Beach, Florida with his parents and sister at a young age. Bob excelled in school becoming First Chair for the band and even marched in the Orange Bowl. He was a star on the radio at the time for a space age show that was aired on the weekend.

After his father passed in the late 1950s when Bob was around 14, his mother decided to move them out of Miami to California. His mother purchased a used car and they travelled cross country. Along the way they picked up his aunt in Texas and finally made it to Los Angeles California. In Los Angeles, living in the motel his mother was managing, which was on the land currently occupied by the Staple Center, Bob attended private school with other child actors in the 50s. His short career included a minor part in the series Flying High. He was attending classes at UCLA by the time he was 16 and graduated from UCLA with a Master’s Degree in accounting.

Bob and his mother finally settled in Newport Beach in the mid 1960’s although he still loved L.A. He would attend Hollywood premiers and parties with his sister every chance that was offered. He started out as a young accountant at the William Lyon Corporation and moved up quickly. Bob was later offered another job with Leadership/Macco and decided to make the move. He next was recruited to Ponderosa Homes in the accounting department. Bob then took a position in sales and was later promoted to Director of Sales.

Bob eventually left Ponderosa Homes after getting his Broker’s License and went out on his own to become a successful Real Estate Broker and Accountant. He travelled the world, visiting every continent. He was an avid skier and was well known for the ability to make friends with anyone.

He would always find something in common with everyone he ran into whether out at dinner, traveling or just waiting in line at the DMV. He is survived by his sister Bonnie and her husband Bill Vanderwerff of Cowan Heights, CA. his nieces Cindy Vanderwerff and Carey Vanderwerff, his great-nephew Christopher Degrazia and the many friends whose lives he has touched over the years.

He will be greatly missed. He was the best of us.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the American Lung Association.