Dr. Rowland Daley Goff, Jr., 80, of Winchester, VA died Wednesday, May 25, 2016 at home surrounded by his loving family.
Dr. Goff was born in 1935 in Falcon, North Carolina, son of the late Rowland D. and Ruth Daniels Goff. He graduated from the University of North Carolina, where he was a Morehead Scholar and received a Bachelor’s degree and a Doctor of Medicine. He did his surgical training at the University of Florida. He was a Cardiovascular/Thoracic Surgeon, practicing in Jacksonville, FL, Seattle, WA, St. Petersburg, FL, Lexington and Pikeville, KY and finally relocating to Winchester, VA and practicing at Winchester Medical Center for 15 years. Dr. Goff retired in April 2001. Dr. Goff was a veteran, having served in the United States Navy during the Vietnam war, achieving the rank of Lieutenant Commander.
Dr. Goff was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. His passion and treasured past-time was golf. He was a member of the Winchester Country Club, where he was considered a “Deacon of the Course.”
One of his proudest moments was playing football at UNC and scoring the first touchdown for Queen Elizabeth while in attendance at the game. He was a hero to many and a friend to all. Dr. Goff touched and healed many hearts during his career. He and his partners sponsored an annual “Beat the Doc” golf tournament for any of their heart surgery patients who played golf. He will be remembered for his happy smile, hearty laughter, and his love of golf. He was always ready with a joke, a story, or a John Wayne impersonation; his larger than life spirit and smile will be missed by all who knew him.
Dr. Goff married Kathleen Petrovich on December 20, 1986 in Winchester, Virginia. Surviving with his wife are daughters, Cara M. Graham (Jeffrey), Waynesboro, VA, Allison G. Anderson (David), Henrico, VA, Elaine G. McMullen (Josh), St. Petersburg, FL; sons, J. Christopher Goff (Keilah), Dunn, NC, Charles D. Goff (Tammy), Waynesboro, VA, Anthony R. Goff (Mandy), Trinity, FL; sister, Jeanne G. Tart (Roy), Dunn, NC; grandchildren, Gabriel, Madison, and Olivia Graham; Drew, Brittany, and Chase Anderson; Deanna R. McMullen; Cameron, Daniel, Cailin, and Morgan Goff; Daley, Anna, and Nathan Goff; and Eliana Goff; niece, Susan; and nephews, Steve and Dwight; many cousins and friends.
A Celebration of Daley’s Life will be held at 2pm June 26 at the Winchester Country Club. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Blue Ridge Hospice, 333 W. Cork Street, Suite 405, Winchester, Virginia 22601 or to CCAP, 112 S. Kent Street, Winchester, Virginia 22601.