E. Robert Goebel, 82, a resident of Owensboro, Kentucky, died Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025 with his children by his side. He was born in Lincoln, Illinois, Nov. 21, 1942, to Dr. Robert E. Goebel and Ruth Groff Goebel. He attended community schools in Lincoln.
He graduated from Murray State University in 1965, where he was on the varsity basketball and track teams. He then taught and coached basketball at Owensboro High School from 1965-1967. He and Maxine Bennett wed July 9, 1966. He then enrolled in the University of Kentucky College of Law, receiving his Juris Doctorate in 1970.
He then practiced law in Lexington, Kentucky and Owensboro until 1984 when he was appointed by Kentucky’s governor to serve as District Judge, 6th Judicial District, Div. II. This office serves Daviess County, Kentucky, and Judge Goebel was elected to serve four successive terms, retiring from state office in 1998. He was also appointed by the Chief Justice of the Kentucky Supreme Court to serve as Special Circuit Judge to the Henderson Circuit Court, Henderson, Kentucky, serving in that capacity from 1988 to 1992.
Judge Goebel was then appointed to serve as United States Magistrate Judge for the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky and held that office from 1998 to 2012, when he retired.
During his years in Owensboro, Judge Goebel maintained an abiding interest in the well-being of his community and was a member and gave service to a wide variety of community and civic organizations. He sat on countless Boards and devoted most of his life to serving others both professionally and personally.
He was predeceased by his parents and a brother, Bruce Goebel. He is survived by his wife, Maxine Bennett Goebel; a daughter, Adrienne Goebel Smith and her husband, Vernon Smith Ill of Peachtree City, Georgia; a son, Robert E. Goebel and his wife, Hannah of Owensboro; and a brother, Stephen Goebel of Shelbyville, Illinois.
He is also survived by five grandchildren, Bennett Smith, Vernon Smith IV, Silas Goebel, Eberle Goebel, and Cora Goebel.
Judge Goebel will be cremated. At his request, there will be a private memorial service at a date to be determined, and his ashes will be inurned in the Columbarium at First Christian Church, Disciples of Christ, Owensboro, where he was a member. Any memorials should be made to the donor’s favorite charity or organization that provides aid and comfort to the homeless.
Care entrusted to Cardinal Cremation Society.