Obituaries

Grover C. Gouker, Jr., 86

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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What an inspiration!  Grover has been a true inspiration, and especially a great encourager to me.  May God Bless you, Gloria, with all the wonderful memories that you have!  I truly enjoyed his Santa books
while we were on our journey! 
Hugs, from Wanda

Patti & Peg,  Just wanted to send our condolences…your dad was surely a class act.  Many, many years have passed since I remember a hand delivered Santa letter to my house as a child and with it a black patent leather purse…what a treat.  I also remember being at Brandywine College my freshman year and I needed to return to Hanover for the Miss Hanover pageant.  My parents were not able to pick me up so Grover drove all the way to Philly to bring me home so that I could be in attendance.  His generosity says it all.  Patti, miss all those good times from years past.  Thinking of you both. 
Fred and Kathi (K) 
 

Hi Gloria, I’m sorry to have read that Grover passed on. It was a beautiful writeup and so many accomplishments and wonderful things he did. I hope he didn’t suffer long. I so much wanted to see you again and keep in touch, but each of us leads a very busy life. Maybe we can make time for each other one of these days. Only working 5 or 6 hours a day since I was very ill last November. Had a virius hit my heart and do damage, had pneumonia and congestive heart failure. Still recooperating from that. Again you have my sympathies and my prayers and I send a hug to you too. Take care and keep in touch. My email address is janetatpequea@aol.com. Love, Jan Stark

What more can you say about a man who touched so many of our lives in a such a beautiful way?  I feel so blessed to have had the opportunity to know Grover.  What an inspiration to all of us!  I will miss him…. God bless you Gloria!
In Jaycee Spirit Always,
Sherry Cracium
Fellow Past President, Hanover Area Jaycees & Pennsylvania Jaycees

Dear Gloria and Family,
We would like to express our deepest sympathy for the loss of your loved one.  Grover was a beloved friend and patient and will be deeply missed by everyone in the office and by all the people who’s lives he has touched.
Regards,
Dr. Roy Brod and Staff

I had the honor and privilege of working with Grover on his books. What a truly wonderful person. He will be greatly missed.
Gloria, we love you.
Sharon Martin and Family

I embrace the Grover Family with my deepest sympathy along with love and prayers.  What an awesome Christian Saint he was.  Welcome home, Grover! 
Marlyn E. Rowan

Gloria,
I am truly saddened for your loss. Grover was a very unique and genuine individual. He was one-of-a-kind! He always had time for anyone. Of course, he always had a story to tell and would always put a smile on your face.
I was very fortunate to have him come into my life and was honored to be able to call him a friend! His sense of humor and keen wit will be remembered. He will never be forgotten and his legacy will continue forever! I will cherish his books and his memories!
My condolences to you and your entire family. My prayers and thoughts are with you!
Fondly,
John Plank

When we moved to Lancaster from Ohio in 1967 I continued my membership in the Jaycees and very much remember how highly regarded Grover was as a Jaycee and for the many projects he was a part of and the very positive role model he had become.
My sympathies to family and friends.
Jim Riley, JCI Senator #19552

Many thanks to Mr. Gouker for the beautiful letters he composed to my own children and the students in my first grade classes in the 1980’s.   He certainly encouraged their joy in celebrating with Santa on Christmas.  May he rest in peace.  
P. Grana (former Manheim Township resident and teacher)

Dear Gouker Family,
I was saddened to hear about Mr. Gouker’s passing.  We were distantly related on the Gouker side.  I was fortunate to hear Mr. Gouker speak on several occasions and he was always cordial and a joy to listen to.  I’m sure he will be missed by many!
Sincerely,
Cheryl Yohe Fetrow (daughter of Helen Gouker Yohe who was the daughter of Arvilla and John C. Gouker)

What a wonderful, positive man. I took his class in 1981 and have been inspired ever since.
Grover changed the way i look at work and my life, we was a gift to us all
I am praying for you and your family..its hard to imagine him not with us
Pati Going Frey

Grover has certainly made an impact if my life and the lives of the children that were in my Preschool class while I taught at Rainbow Learning Center. He was an outstanding man and cared for you immensely even though you just met. His books have been a treasure in my family and for years to come. My thoughts and prayers are with your family but you deserve my utmost praise for making me want to strive for more….and for that I will be forever grateful.
Amanda Light Miller
a.k.a. Miss Amanda

Grover was always a gentleman, committed to his community.  As a fellow JCI Senator, it was always a pleasure to be in Grover’s company.  He will be greatly missed

My sincerest condolences to Grover’s family.  Dick Selby, Littlestown, JCI Senator 7937.

Grover was a dear and cherished close friend.  He and Gloria were intertwined with my family.  My late mother was the soloist at their wedding, and Grover walked me down the aisle six months later at mine. My mother and I attended all but one of his "Santa Talks" and we cherished the memories of those times. (My late husband also attended some of the talks and he, too, thoroughly enjoyed them!)
Four years ago on May 16th, my husband passed away quietly in the hospital, and four years ago on May 20th, we had his funeral service. So, even in death, there is a connection between us.
My deepest and most heartfelt sympathies to ALL of you.  Grover will be profoundly missed, but he will ALWAYS be in our hearts.  May the peace of God be present in your hearts and comfort you in all the days to come.
In Christian love,
Phyllis N. Miller

Patti & Peg,
So sorry to hear of your loss. Your dad will be missed. Our thoughts & prayers are with you.
Mike & Phyllis Hull
Hanover,Pa.

I had the honor of meeting and speaking with Mr. Gouker years ago.  He was a man you could not forget.  He served his community well and those who were fortunate to meet him were certainly impressed with his gentle nature.  I enjoyed meeting Mr. Gouker and hearing him speak.  His letters from Santa will be missed by the community.   My children were fortunate to receive his letter when they were preschoolers. Thank you for sharing him with this community.  He was a great person and will be missed. 
Michelle Mills
Hanover, PA

Gloria:  I am so sorry to read that Grover passed away.  I am so glad I got to meet both of you during WGAL’s Jefferson Awards program in 2005.  He was a wonderful man and I enjoyed talking with him on different occasions.  My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Carol Jacoby
WGAL Program Manager (Retired)

Our deepest condolences on the death of your loved one.    He sent Christmas letters to our children in Hanover years ago.   They were saved and given to our children who are adults after having birthdays recently of 41 and 40 years old.    What a terrific impact Grover made on our world!!!!!!!!!!
Bob and Jeannie Kelley

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