A great soul of acceptance. What a joy it has been to had the honor of your friendship . Your warm laughter, fine wines  and incredible understanding of the Invisible World.... shall remain with me as I continue my journey....See you in the next!
Jerome Wright

Such a tragic loss of a fantastic human being.  My thoughts and prayers are with Jonmin and Arthur.  Robert was a true champion for the environment but he also cared for people.  I always admired him and I feel very fortunate for having known him.  He will be missed by so many!

I used to accompany Robert on his visits to indigenous communities in Suriname and what struck me most, besides his incredible knowledge on mining impacts, was his ability to explain the most difficult and complex things in simple words so every one would understand and have that knowledge too. And after work, after the beer, he would talk about his wife and her music and his son with so much love in his eyes. I thank him for all his work here in Suriname and I am so grateful that I have known him.

I was saddened to learn that Robert had passed on.  His contributions to science and to environmental justice were inspiring. I will greatly miss him. My sincere sympathies to all who knew him.

Thank you Robert, for everything you have done for the indigenous peoples of West-Suriname and for being such a wonderful, warm person. My deepest condolences to your family. Rest in peace.

Rest in peace Robert.  You loved the earth but kept your eye on heaven too. Keep up the good work from there.
Frank Nally

I had the privilege to attend Robert's funeral Mass in the Episcopal Church he attended every Sunday and heard some of his World Bank environmental colleagues share their experience of the wonderful man they knew.  We knew his commitment to people and the environment as he helped us confront the impacts of mining companies in the Philippines. His son Arthur's eulogy was particularly  wonderful as it gave his experience of his dad as the best person and mentor he ever knew.  He was a dad who raised a son with great love and tenderness. Arthur admired him.  Jonmin and Arthur were with Robert as he went home to God with them holding hands with him.  He was out walking, which he loved to do  with his beautiful family on holiday in Nepal.  May he rest in peace.
Frank Nally  SSC

Robert was one of the great champions of positive and meaningful change! His insights and continuous advocacy for the solutions to the most pressing problems facing the earth, humanity, and life in all its forms was awe inspiring. We have lost one of the "great ones" and I for one will endeavor to honor his gift to us all.

I'm deeply saddened to hear of Dr. Goodland's passing. I humbly extend condolences to his family and heartfelt thanks for the gift of a wonderful, talented and dedicated advocate. He did not falter in challenging conditions to travel and speak directly with families and communities in the Philippines who were exacting accountability and justice from the mining industry and the Philippine government. He donated his time, expertise and scientific endeavours to small farmers and indigenous people in the Philippines to help their struggle against mining. He went above and beyond to contribute as much as he can as a scientist. He was a personal inspiration as he met dark times with childlike joyfulness. He kept his open, inquiring mind and sense of adventure always. He very much enjoyed traveling, making new friends, listening to young people, enjoying new food and good jokes, new wines and tramping across hills in to his eyes new lands, vast forests and seas without end. He was tireless. I can never forget how Dr. Goodland brought decency, civility and reason to heated confrontations in South Cotabato over the Tampakan gold mine. I thank you for this joyfulness and delight in life. And when he could not return to the islands, he never forgot to write us when he found useful information. There is nothing to fear and much to celebrate with a life so well lived. I feel fortunate to have thanked him personally for his work. Thank you always, you have my gratitude.

I was shocked to learn of Robert's sudden passing. Robert was a true gentleman, a scholar and so very generous, and always humble, in sharing his knowledge about mining. The last time I saw him was just last November in San Francisco at a major meeting about mining standards. As usual he contributed much in his own mild way, but he also came away from the meeting full of praise for the contributions to the work on standards by others and promoting their efforts. His loss to our struggle is great, but he leaves many important writings that we will, I am sure, continue to refer to in our work. I would like to extend the most sincere condolences from MiningWatch Canada to his family and loved ones.
Catherine Coumans

I was so saddened to hear of Robert's death. I knew Robert through our shared work on mining, going back to the World Bank's Extractive Industries Review, but more recently through his support for work in the Philippines. In all that time I never heard anyone with a bad word to say about him (and indeed when the news of his passing was shared with colleagues at the Mines & Communities network, many added their own affirmations of this). He was one of the most generous & genial of men. He was so continuously courteous in responding to all queries & calls for help. He will be sorely missed ....

Unfortunately for me, I only became aware of Robert Goodland's work very recently. I was immediately struck by his courage, determination, and heart. I reached out to him via email in mid-December and he kindly responded to me, a stranger. On news of his passing, I felt a great personal loss because I knew I'd just met someone from whom I could learn so much. Thus, I can only imagine the enormous loss felt by all who really knew this great man. My slight connection with Robert just before losing him heightens my own commitment to serve the purposes for which he gave so much of his life. My heart goes out to Robert's family and friends. With great sadness but greater determination.

Robert Goodland was a dear friend, a mentor, a colleague and an inspiration in his work tackling global environmental and development challenges. I am shocked and saddened by the loss of this great man, a loss for us all. Condolences to his wife, Jonmin, and family.

Karen & Dave Seman and Elenore Ifsich (Albin's sister, brother-in-law, and mother)  send our most sincere condolences.  Robert contributed much to the world. We're confident that your memories of his accomplishments, and of the times that you shared with him will help to ease your pain from his passing.

When Robert began with the Bank he was the leader of the 'few' calling for environmental accountability. His legacy is the Equator Principles where the 'few' are now 'the current generation' seeking ways and means to mainstream that accountability.

OBITUARY

Robert James Goodland

September 26, 1939 – December 28, 2013

Murphy Funeral Homes

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