Robert Earl Gomoll, 75, born April 8th, 1949, of Dubuque, Iowa, passed away Tuesday November 19th, 2024, at Mercy Hospital from the effects of Lou Gehrig’s Disease (ALS).

Visitation will be held from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Monday November 25, 2024 at Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory, 2595 Rockdale Road.

A Funeral Service will begin at 7:00 p.m. on Monday at the funeral home with Rev. Chuck Peterson officiating.

Robert was born on April 8th, 1949, in Clinton, IA to Earl E. Gomoll and Ruth E. Spahn.

Robert graduated with a Bachelor of Education from University of Wisconsin – Platteville in 1972 and received his Master of Arts from Loras Collage in 1976.

While at college at Platteville Robert met the love of his life Linda Lageson and married at St. Paul’s Lutheran church in Clinton, IA on January 22, 1971. Robert and Linda were married a beautiful 53 years at the time of Robert’s passing.

Robert was a teacher at Senior High in Dubuque, IA for 39 years before his retirement in May of 2009. Robert then went on to teach an additional 11 years at University of Dubuque in the English department from 2010 to 2022. While a teacher at Senior High Robert was a wrestling trainer for 2 years. Robert also wrote the Senior High Homecoming pep song in 1989 which is still performed today.

Robert enjoyed yardwork, reading, especially from the Bible and was an accomplished published writer, writing plays for the radio and theatre, articles for several magazines, short stories and poems. Robert was an active participant at St. John’s Lutheran Church. Robert loved spending time with his family. Robert also loved learning new magic tricks; he was a member of the Dubuque chapter of Magic Club where he performed many magic tricks for his fellow magicians and patrons. Robert was defined by his sheer strength both of character and in the literal sense.  With his love of body building at his peak, Robert had a nearly 50-inch chest and 19-inch arms and could have been mistaken for a professional wrestler if he wasn’t carrying a book about American Literature or writing a poem.

Those left to cherish him are his wife, Linda Gomoll of Dubuque, IA, his children Brian Gomoll, Michael (Andrea) Gomoll, and his granddaughter Cora (fiancé Ryan LeMay) Gomoll all of Dubuque, IA. His sister Evelyn (Jerry) Sexton of Geneseo, IL, mother-in-law Vivian Lageson and sister-in-law Sandy Schober both of Blanchardville, WI.  Also, nieces in England and many nieces and nephews here in the area, along with cousins and many family friends. Robert was preceded in death by his parents Earl E. Gomoll and Ruth E. Gomoll and father-in-law Erling Lageson.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that a donation in Robert’s name be given to the ALS Association or to St. John’s Lutheran Church of Dubuque, IA.

Rob’s memory will be cherished by all.  Each day spent with him made everyone feel like the luckiest person on the face of the Earth.