Who Was Bob?
Bob Goodale was a man who dedicated his life to service and recovery. At 90 years old, he celebrated 52 years of sobriety, with February 18 marking his annual sobriety anniversary—a milestone he cherished deeply.
Known affectionately as “Grandpa Bob,” he touched countless lives with his compassion and humility. Bob’s approach to recovery and life was rooted in unconditional love and acceptance. He had a gift for connecting with people from all walks of life, taking the time to learn their names and listen to their stories. He often said we are all “wildly imperfect” but deserving of love and support.
Bob’s impact on the recovery community was profound. He co-founded an AA meeting at Shepherd’s Table soup kitchen in Raleigh, which continues to this day, and volunteered weekly, delivering hundreds of bottles of water to support the kitchen’s mission. His dedication to helping others was recognized with the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, one of North Carolina’s highest honors.
Bob’s Way Recovery Center carries forward his legacy by creating a welcoming space for anyone seeking recovery in any form. Inspired by his belief in meeting people where they are, the center embodies his values of service, acceptance, and community. Through Bob’s Way, his spirit lives on, offering hope and healing to all who seek it.
What is Bob’s Way?
Bob’s Way is more than just a name; it’s a philosophy inspired by the life and values of Bob Goodale. It represents:
- Compassionate Service
Bob believed in serving with humility and love. - Meeting People Where They Are
Bob’s Way emphasizes the importance of seeing people as they are and helping them take the next step toward healing. - Community and Connection
Bob believed recovery happens in the community. - Unconditional Love and Acceptance
Bob often said we are all “wildly imperfect,” but he treated everyone with unconditional love. - Recovery for All
Recovery isn’t one-size-fits-all; it’s a personal journey supported by community, resources, and hope.
In short, Bob’s Way is a holistic and inclusive approach to recovery, designed to reflect the heart and soul of Bob Goodale’s legacy: a life dedicated to service, sobriety, and unconditional love.
This is the true joy in life, the being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one; the being a force of nature instead of a feverish, selfish little clod of ailments and grievances complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy
I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the whole community, and as long as I live it is my privilege to do for it whatever I can.
I want to be thoroughly used up when I die, for the harder I work the more I live. I rejoice in life for its own sake. Life is no “brief candle” for me.
It is a sort of splendid torch which I have got hold of for the moment, and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations.
-George Bernard Shaw
Contact
Office: (919) 522- 5990
[email protected]
Location
510 Dabney Drive
Suite C
Henderson NC 27536