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 Grover
C. Gouker Jr., 86, of Lancaster, PA, formerly of Hanover passed
away peacefully at home on Saturday, May 16, 2009. He was the
husband of Gloria J. (Neff) Gouker. They were married on January
2, 1994 in Hanover, PA.
Grover was
born in Hanover on October 15, 1922 to the late Grover C. Gouker
Sr. and Mary Viola (Hough) Gouker.
He was well
known for being a People Skills Trainer, Public Speaker, Author,
and most importantly the Official Corresponding Santa Claus.
Upon discharge
from the U.S. Army, Grover worked in the Hanover Post Office for
seven and a half years. While there in 1950 he started his world
renowned program as The Official Corresponding Santa Claus,
answering more than 100,000 letters, personally written to
children in seven countries, and all fifty states. He was assisted
in this program by his youngest daughter, Peg Kyle and his lovely
wife, Gloria. Originally his older daughter Patti Ensminger helped
to hand deliver answers to late written letters in the area. This
project was truly a "labor of love."
Grover was a
WWII Veteran in the US Army. He entered the service in 1943 and
was assigned to the Barrage Balloon Corps, Artillery Division and
was selected to the Army Specialized Training Program and was sent
to the University of Alabama. There he held the rank of Cadet
Colonel. He was then selected as one of 1200 to attend Vanderbilt
University in a Pre-Med program. He was then assigned to the
Medical Corps in Camp Barkely, Texas, where he was injured for a
medical discharge.
His education
prior to the service included graduating from Thompson Business
College.
He was an avid
sports, music, and drama enthusiast.
Grover was the
author of "My Santamental Journey" and "I Don't Want NO Soap". He
was a nationally known public speaker, Motivator, and Humorist. He
has spoken to more than 20,000 audiences, holding workshops,
seminars, presentations for industry, business, civic groups,
professional groups, conventions, hospitals, and educational
groups.
As a community
leader he was former President of Hanover Jaycees, Kiwanis Club,
Greater Hanover Civic, Corp and Hanover Youth Council. He was
former Chapter Chairman of the American Red Cross, former Founder
and Commander of the AMVETS, Charter President of the Hanover
YMCA, Founder and Charter President of the Friends of the Library.
He Chaired Fund Drives for the Red Cross, March of Dimes, Multiple
Sclerosis, Cerebral Palsy, and Christmas Seals.
Some of his
State and National activities included Former Charter President of
the JCI SENATORS OF PENNSYLVANIA, former Vice-President of the
U.S. Junior Chamber of Commerce, former Director of the
Pennsylvania Chamber of Commerce, former State President of the
Pennsylvania Junior Chamber of Commerce, organizer of the
Pennsylvania Jaycee Public Speakers Bureau, former Vice-President
of the Pennsylvania, Library Trustees, former State Vice Commander
of the AMVETS, was selected to the World President's Committee on
Community Development-Junior Chamber International.
His honors and
awards include the Official Corresponding Santa Claus, listed in
the National Register's Who's Who in Executives and Professionals,
Recipient of the Outstanding Community Service Award from Kiwanis,
Recipient of the Sertoma Freedom Award, and enrolled in "The Book
of Golden Deeds" in recognition of Golden Deeds-Hanover Exchange
Club in 2002.
Grover was
cited by the Korean Ambassador for the State Chairmanship of
Korean War Orphans, was featured on ABC Ted Koppels's Nightline
Christmas Eve, 2001, for his "Letters to Santa" program, selected
"One of Lancaster's Most Intriguing People of 2001" by Larry
Alexander of Lancaster Newspapers, was inducted into the U.S.
Junior Chamber of Commerce Leadership Hall of Fame on October 16,
2004 and was the recipient of the 2005 Jefferson Award.
In addition to
his wife he is survived by two daughters, Peg J. wife of Chuck
Kyle of McSherrystown, PA, Patti S. Ensminger companion of Peter
McQuaid of Scottsdale, AZ, step-son Austin Soto, step-daughter
Monica Bloom, granddaughter Erin Kyle, step-granddaughter Allison
Murren, step great-granddaughters Alivia Murren and Lucy Bloom,
niece Bonnie Walker of FL, nephews Thomas and Doug Long, Glendon
Ruhlman, grand nephews Seth, Matthew, Pete, Troy Long, and a
sister Catherine H. Shaffer all of Hanover, PA. He was preceded in
death by a sister Mary Gelista Long.
Relatives and
friends are respectfully invited to attend the Funeral Service on
Wednesday, May 20, 2009 at 11am from the Charles F. Snyder Jr.
Funeral Home & Chapel, 3110 Lititz Pk., Lititz, PA 717-560-5100
with Rev. J. Calvin Wenger officiating. Viewings will be held at
the funeral home on Tuesday from 2-4pm and 6-8pm and again on
Wednesday from 9-11am prior to the service. Interment will be
private and Military Honors will be rendered by the Red Rose
Veterans Honor Guard at the Charles F. Snyder Jr. Funeral Home &
Chapel. Memorial contributions may be made in Grover's memory to
the Hanover YMCA, 500 George St. Hanover, PA 17331 or to the
Susquehanna Assoc. for the Blind, 244 N. Queen St., Lancaster, PA
17603. To send the family online condolences please visit
www.snyderfuneralhome.com
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