Robert "Bob" Goupil

Robert “Bob” Louis Goupil, Sr, 76, Topeka, Kansas, passed away Friday, February 1, 2019, at Colmery-O’Neil VA Hospital. Robert was born in Rochester, New Hampshire on December 9, 1942, to Canadian immigrant parents. His mother, Noella LaPierre Goupil, was fourth generation Iroquois Indian. His father, Joseph Goupil, was French Canadian. Robert’s parents immigrated from Quebec, Canada to Rochester, New Hampshire. Robert was referred to as a Metis (French for half-breed) and First Nation People of Canada. Robert attended Holy Rosary French Parochial School in Rochester, where he learned to read and write French and English. The nuns were Grey Nuns from Montreal, Canada. The family moved to Berwick, Maine, where he graduated from Berwick High School. After his graduation, he joined the Army in July 1960. Robert did basic training on Fort Dix, New Jersey then his medical training at Brooke Army Medical Center on Fort Sam Houston, Texas. Robert was then stationed on Fort Belvoir, Virginia. While there, he witnessed the inauguration of President Kennedy. Robert received orders for Fort Riley, Kansas, assigned to the 93rd Evac Hospital, where he served as a Combat Medic/Surgical Technician. Robert was honorably discharged July 1963. Afterwards, Robert worked at St Mary’s Hospital in Manhattan, Kansas, as a Surgical Tech During the height of the Vietnam War, Robert re-enlisted into the Air Force on August 2, 1966. He was assigned to the 328 USAF Hospital in Richards Gebaur Air Force Base in Missouri. Robert served as a Surgical Tech and a part-time flight medic, who flew into Vietnam where he helped evacuate the wounded on a C130. He was honorably discharged from the Air Force. He received the National Defense Service Medal, Air Force Longevity Service Award, and the Army/Air Force Good Conduct Medal. Robert qualified as a Marksman on the M-1 Rifle, Expert on the M14 and M16 rifles. Upon discharge, he went to work for Goodyear in Topeka for ten years. In October 1980, Robert worked at the Santa Fe Railroad Office in Topeka and retired with 30 years of service. Robert met Teresa Silva Goupil Yriarite while at Fort Riley. They had three sons, Robert of Topeka, Michael of Topeka, and David (Karen) of Wichita. In November 1984, he married Janet (Jones). Robert enjoyed music, singing several years with Capital City Men’s Chorus and Christ the King choir. One of Bob’s hobbies was painting – he painted portraits of each grandchild, landscapes and Indian subjects. He also enjoyed attending Pow-Wows and participating in Indian activities. Robert was a member of the Vietnam Vets of America #610, and We-Ta-Se American Legion Post 410 in Mayetta, Kansas. He also served in SCAT and held office in Standing Bear Intertribal Brotherhood. Robert is survived by his wife, Janet; sons, Robert, Michael and David (Karen); grandsons, Sean, Josh, Gabe, Joe and Jason; granddaughters, Miranda and McKenzie; siblings, Marianne and Richard; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, and siblings Henrietta and Margaret. Visitation will be 9 to 9:45 a.m. Friday at Christ the King Catholic Church, 5973 SW 25th Street, Topeka KS 66614, with parish rosary being prayed at 9:45 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday at 10 a.m. at the Church. Inurnment will follow in West Lawn Memorial Gardens. Memorial Contributions may be made to the We-Ta-Se American Legion Post 410, or the Helping Hands Humane Society, sent in care of Kevin Brennan Family Funeral Home, 2801 SW Urish Road, Topeka KS 66614.

Robert "Bob" Goupil

December 9, 1942 - February 1, 2019