By Lisa Scott
Special to The SUN
Photo courtesy Lisa Scott
Bob Goodman is a fourth-generation Pagosan and the 64th annual Red Ryder Roundup Rodeo Committee and the board of the Western Heritage Event Center honored him last week for his philanthropic support of the rodeo and his outstanding contribution to the western culture of the community.
Every year, the board of the Western Heritage Event Center acknowledges people who have upheld ideals that align with the board’s mission statement: To uphold the western ranching traditions of Archuleta County.
Bob Goodman is a fourth-generation Pagosan, currently owning and operating the family business, and in the transition phase to the fifth generation — his daughter, Hayley.
David and Fanny Lowenstein, Bob’s great-grandparents, came to Pagosa in 1899 with $500 and a dream of settling down and starting a business. Lowenstein’s was established and opened in the same location at which the store exists today. Bob’s grandmother, Hortense Lowenstein, took over the store in the 1940s and married L.J. Goodman. They ran the store together and changed the name to Goodman’s Department Store. Bob’s mother and father, Dave and Dorothy Goodman, took over the store in the mid-1960s. In 1982, Bob and his bride, Valerie, began running the store.
Goodman’s Department Store and Bob have been longtime supporters of the Red Ryder Roundup Rodeo by being sponsors and the source of saddle purchases used as prizes. During the early 1900s, Goodman’s Store served as a trading post of sorts for the local tribes and today serves the non-profit community in a similar fashion. Bob and Valerie are well known in the community for their support of non-profit organizations and a Goodman’s gift certificate or retail item can be found at virtually every non-profit event during the year.
The 64th annual Red Ryder Roundup Rodeo Committee and the Board of the Western Heritage Event Center would like to honor our very good friend Bob Goodman for his philanthropic support of the rodeo and his outstanding contribution to the western culture of this community.