Brian Goble

On MacBeth Way, during the warmer months it was not uncommon to find a gathering in a driveway or on someone's deck. Many stories and laughs were shared as bonds between us all grew stronger & stronger. One summer, stormy evening Brian joined us in the driveway. We had the chairs set out and the weather was mystifying to say the least. Brian loved gazing up at the sky and predicting what was to happen next. On this evening they were calling for thunderstorms and as we sat and chatted the sky began to take on an ominous glow. As a few drops began to fall and the wind began to blow, Brian jumped to his feet, packed up his chair & cooler & screamed "its a downdraft" and took off running down the road!!! As we sat in the driveway, dumbfounded as to what just occurred, we wondered if we too should take shelter for he had us that scared! Needless to say, we did not! The droplets became heavier and within moments............ it all cleared up! Ha-ha bet you thought I would say it began to pour right??? It actually did not but my gosh, he had us in stitches for days! We still refer to storms rolling in as a "downdraft"!!! We love you Brian, you will always be in our thoughts & hearts!

~ Patti Kreckman

When you move into a neighborhood where the houses sit on quarter acre lots, you cross your fingers and hope for the best with your neighbors. We were fortunate (and so relieved!) when Robin and Brian moved into the house in front of us. If you were to ask me how I would describe them I'd have several things to say...friendly, fun-loving, warm, caring, smart, sweet, down-to-earth, and just so darned nice. Whether it was hanging in the backyard for a party or barbeque (Brian's rib smoking...mmmmm!), gathering for game night, or meeting up for drinks and wings, we could always expect a good time. Brian's neighborly ways were more than just social. Brian would be the first outside for snow shoveling with the guys (and the tequila shots that went with it!) or bringing up trash cans or whatever anyone needed. I don't know much about Brian's time in the Navy or those that he worked with, but those of us who had the pleasure of spending fun times with him at home will forever remember his laugh, his endless knowledge of all things trivial, his weather forecasts, and his fun-loving spirit. Godspeed, Brian. You'll always have a place in our hearts.

~ Kris McCurry

I knew Brian for over 20 years. We served in the same command twice during our Navy careers (we were both weather guys), and we were both on ships in Norfolk at the same time in the early/mid 2000s.

I first met Brian in 1995 when I relieved him onboard the USS Arleigh Burke, deployed in the Mediteranean Sea at the time. We spent a few days together and I got my first taste of the Brian laugh and selfless personality. We are also both Cowboy fans and we connected on that during those few days on the ship. That was back in the Cowboy glory years so we had something to feel good about. Later that same year I watched the Cowboys win the NFC championship game that put them in their last Super Bowl at the Gobles' place in Rota, Spain. It is a great memory. I'll never forget the Gobles' house parties during those years. They do it well. Brian and Robin left Spain a few months before we left and wouldn't see them again for years.

During the ship tours, we both had houses in Maryland and we commuted back and forth on the weekends. I ran into him twice stopped for gas at the same place on the route to Maryland. What are the odds of that? Our shipboard lives were pretty busy but we still managed to get together a couple times for beers.

A few years later we ended up stationed together again in Maryland at what turned out to be the last command for both of us. I had the privilege of welcoming Brian in the ranks of the Navy Chief Petty Officers during that tour (I had made Chief years earlier). There is about a 5 week process after getting selected for Chief where the "selectees" are given many training challenges before being welcomed into the "Chief's mess" and pinned. I was able to participate in the training the whole way and witness the pinning ceremony. It was an awesome time.

Brian I then worked together for about a year and a half as fellow Chiefs in the command. One of the coolest thing I saw Brian do came during this time. We had a Chief retiring and we needed a retirement shadow box. Brian took charge of this without being asked and put together the most spectacular shadow box I had seen up to that time. He was a guy you could count on to selflessly take things on and get things done. The Cowboys also happened to have one of their best seasons ever during that last year before Brian retired, so we got to talk about that everyday in the office.

After Brian retired, we kept in touch mostly through the miracle of Facebook and would comment on the Cowboys occasionally. The last time I saw him in person was when he turned 50 back in 2012 at the current Goble residence in Eldersburg. Another wonderful Goble house party with great chow. We stayed the night and he cooked one hell of a breakfast in the morning. I wish we had gotten together again at some point.

I agree with the other comments on here about Brian's laugh, his big heart, and selfless personality. I'm not sure I've ever met a nicer guy and this world is not as good a place without him in it. He'll be missed.

~ Mike Butcher

We owned the house behind Brian and Robin until recently. The families who lived there before them we either loved (Max & Suguy) or really didn’t care for (those young clowns who wouldn’t look at us). What kind of neighbors would Brian and Robin be? They came with a very strong recommendation from Sherri & Dave Patterson. That was good enough for us. It didn’t take long to discover that Robin and Brian would fit right in. They became part of our own little 4 house community within a community. Marty & Sharon, Rob & Denise, Charlie & Kris, Brian & Robin.
My most lasting memories of Brian will be these:
Brian mowing his yard in his Yukon Jack hat! He always took the time to mow on my side of the fence too where his trees left leaves in my yard. Who does that?
I enjoyed Brian’s weather forecasts! He was about as accurate as anyone on TV (lol) but much more entertaining.
Brian cooking assorted meats all day at the grill. The neighborhood never smelled so good!
Brian shoveling snow at the bottom of my driveway while me and Marty shoveled down. He didn’t have to do that but he always did. Sometimes we would meet in the middle for a shot, no matter what time it was!
Brian was an avid Cowboys fan. Me, not so much, I am a Redskins fan. He was never that guy who put your team’s short comings in your face. As a Skins fan he had plenty of opportunity to do so. He also seemed to know more about what colleges the Skins went to than I did. He always had a tidbit or little known fact about my team that I never knew.
I will also remember Brian’s laugh. Stop what you are doing for a second and remember it. Play it in your head. I bet you are smiling.
I am looking at the outpouring of love that is showing up for Brian on social media. I wish I had known him longer. It is obvious that he was a great co-worker, classmate, shipmate and relative. I only knew him as a neighbor who quickly turned into a friend. I tried to find some pictures of Brian to put up on the site and quickly realized that I had none. That is because I was always in the picture with him. Brian, Rob, Marty & me all tipping our glasses, celebrating our birthdays, holidays and our friendship. These are the memories of my friend Brian Goble that I will always treasure. Rest in peace my friend.
Charlie McCurry

~ Charlie McCurry

I first met Brian in 1995. His unique sense of humor was the first thing that bonded us. He had a way of telling a story that just drawed people to him. Our first command together in the Navy was in Rota Spain. He was on the "sea side" of the command, and I was in Operations. Brian would stop by the watchfloor where I worked and we'd commence to telling stories that would have the people around us howling with laughter. He was an entertainer and could spin a story that would leave you in tears! Above that though, Brian was just a great guy; easy going and down to earth. I've not met too many like him. I only had the opportunity to see him in person once several years after he transferred from Spain. We picked up just like we'd never parted. We stayed in contact through Facebook. I'm really going to miss him. My thoughts and prayers are with Robin and his friends. Brian was a good man and a great friend. Rest in peace, brother. We'll meet again one day.

~ Glenn Newton

What first comes to mind when I think if Brian, is his laugh. I'm sure that everyone would agree, it was the best. My husband Rob and I live next door, and I often heard Brian before I saw him. Brian would make me laugh even if I wasn't in the same room with him. We recently went to the movies with Robin and Brian, and Sharon and Marty. His laughter in the theater could be heard by all. We weren't even seeing a comedy, but he certainly was enjoying himself! That makes me smile.

I could convey many stories about Brian that made my husband and I love him. We enjoyed seeing him every day and listening to his ever-entertaining stories. He had a "special cup" that he always brought to all of our neighborhood gatherings. It was more like a Big Gulp bucket. He would always bring special goodies our parties that he lovingly prepared himself or made special trips to Timbuktu to get for the occasion. He knew something about every topic we ever discussed, which made game night highly amusing. We all marveled about how much he knew. Did he make that stuff up? :) Rob always looked forward to the regular outings with Brian, Charlie and Marty to their beloved wing joint. The boys also shoveled snow together. Brian would help shovel everyone out. They mostly shoveled together because they did shots to keep warm! He had a special outfit that he wore to mow the grass in, that the neighbors adored. And the smell of his regular grilling was a treat! He loved the finer things in life, which of course, includes Robin. We saw the genuine love that he had for her and he took care of her lovingly.

Denise


... Life is Not The Same Without You

The sun still rises in the east
and darkness falls at night
but nothing now seems quite the same
each day is not as bright

The birds still sing, the flowers still grow
the breeze still whispers, too
but it will never, ever be
the same world without you

It's so sad that you had to go
your leaving caused such pain
you were so very special
and earth's loss is heaven's gain

~ Denise Conrad Magruder

My favorite memory of Brian came in the winter of 2010 the day "Snowmageddon" started. We were at work monitoring the forecast, all of them calling for about 8 inches of snow. Brian came by the Support Center to ask if we were ready for the snow. I let him know that it was no big deal given the forecast. He came back in a couple of minutes with weather maps he had been looking at and warned it was going to be MUCH bigger than the weather people were calling for, that they may be calling it small as not to cause massive panic. We heeded his warning and got ready for what turned out to be a massive snowfall. It may seem trivial, but it speaks to the kind of person Brian was. He cared about his friends and always looked out for them. It was always fun to spend an afternoon talking to him about football (the man was a walking encyclopedia). We spent hours talking about the Cowboys and everything Jerry was doing wrong (he would have made an AWESOME GM). But in the end, having a buddy who you were sure always had your back made Brian the amazing person and friend he was. I'll miss you buddy.

Oh.... the last time I saw Brian was at the Sykesville Carnival with a pit Ham sandwich.... he put a little too much BBQ sauce on it as it was all over his hand, but he looked so pleased. Love that memory.

-Paul C

~ Paul Chen