David L. Gobert

CARTERVILLE - David L. Gobert, a retired SIU Professor and Associate Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, departed this life on March 13, 2015, at Carbondale Memorial Hospital. He was 82. Dave was born on October 18, 1932, in Decatur, Illinois, to George L. and Grace Loretta Kelso Gobert. He attended public schools in Decatur and received a Bachelor of Arts from Millikin University in 1954. On August 18, 1956, Dave married Sandra Sampson, also a Millikin graduate, in Flossmoor, Illinois. The couple took up residence in Iowa City, Iowa, where Dave earned his Master of Arts and Doctorate degrees from the University of Iowa. Dave joined the faculty of Coe College, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, in 1958. While at Coe he taught French and Applied Linguistics and served as Director of the NDEA French Institute and Acting Chairman of the Foreign Language Department. In 1965 Dave left Coe to begin a 33 year association with SIU as faculty member and administrator. He is fondly remembered by former students for his courses in French language, literature, and civilization, and by former colleagues for his service on various department, college and university committees. He took pleasure in traveling to France for research, conducting student study travel programs, and placing students in internships with French businesses. Dave authored or co-authored several texts and numerous articles in scholarly journals on French language and literature. He received the College of Liberal Arts Outstanding Teacher Award in 1988; a Dipl��me Sup��rieur Fran�_ais des Affaires from the Chambre de Commerce et d'Industrie de Paris in 1989; the Illinois Lieutenant Governor's Award for Outstanding Service in the Profession in 1994; and in 1996 he was named by the French government as a Chevalier dans l'Ordre des Palmes Acad��miques for services rendered to French culture. Dave retired from SIU in 1998 but remained active in adult education and in his quest to learn, always the consummate etymologist. During his tenure at SIU Dave also served as Director on the Boards of various charitable, civic and educational organizations. He was a member of First United Methodist Church in Carbondale. Restoring antique furniture was one of Dave's favorite hobbies. He enjoyed playing tennis and camping with his family. He also enjoyed classical music, jazz and French popular music, and was a proficient pianist. In later years Dave tended to a wildflower garden, traveled extensively at home and abroad with his wife Sandy, and cherished time with family as his family cherished time with him. Sandy survives him, together with their five children: Christopher, of New Orleans, Louisiana, Jonathan, of Carterville, Daniel L. (Jill), of Carbondale, David A., of Carterville, and Katharin L. Gobert-Brown (Phil), of Albia, Iowa. Also surviving are a sister, Carol K. Barnhart (Richard), of Decatur, seven grandchildren, three great grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and a host of former colleagues, students and friends. A service celebrating Dave's life will be held at First United Methodist Church, 214 West Main Street, Carbondale, on Saturday, March 21st, at 10:00 o'clock a.m. Visitation begins at 9:00 o'clock a.m. at the church. Meredith Funeral Home of Carbondale is in charge of arrangements. The family suggests that in lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the American Lung Association or to the Anne West Lindsey District Library in Carterville.



Service:



10:00 a.m. Saturday, March 21, 2015



A celebration of Dave's Life First United Methodist Church 214 W. Main Carbondale, IL 62901







Visitation:



9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. Saturday, March 21, 2015



First United Methodist Church 214 W. Main Carbondale, IL 62901