Bob Gochoel
Donation protected
“When you think about a car accident, you never think you will be paralyzed for life”
Susan Gochoel
January 1983 - A family had to run an errand for their daughter’s school. On the way home, a drunk driver was attempting to light a cigarette and lost control of his car. It jumped a concrete median and resulted in a high impact accident. Bob Gochoel, an off duty Ohio State Highway Patrol Trooper, was seriously injured with a torn aorta which led to 3 heart surgeries within 8 hours. NO ONE, doctors included, expected him to live. Susan had 2 crushed femurs while their son had minor injuries and was sent to a different hospital. The rest of Bob’s life would be spent as a paraplegic in a wheelchair.
Although the driver was charged, he NEVER paid one penny as he was not insured. The driver also fled the state so the judgment that was awarded to the Gochoels could not be collected. After 7 months in the hospital and rehabilitation (4 months for his wife, Susan) Bob could have taken a disability retirement but he chose to return to work. At this time he was working for The Ohio State Highway Patrol as a Forensic Chemist in the crime laboratory. Bob received, analyzed, and stored criminal evidence from troopers throughout the state on a daily basis. He would then be subpoenaed to testify in court as an expert witness for the prosecution in a variety of cases (while in uniform and in a wheelchair). This led to more drunk driving convictions.
Bob forgave the drunk driver and continued living with so many physical obstacles and related medical issues. He always put others before himself, which was evident in him asking others “how they were doing” before ever speaking of his own struggles. He loved his family and made sure that his children would have as normal a childhood as possible. His work ethic and positive approach to life have been an inspiration to his family and countless others. In 1990, he was honored at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC as the Victory Award recipient for the State of Ohio for his “tenacity and courage in overcoming serious obstacles.”
Even after 26 years of service and his retirement, Bob was not ready to relax. He became a substitute teacher in Gahanna and continued to influence the lives of a younger generation. Bob was also a frequent speaker for the Franklin County Wellness Driver Intervention Program to help DUI offenders better understand the consequences of drinking and driving.
Bob Gochoel’s story will be an inspiration for years. He never complained or asked “Why Me?” He was always an optimist and had a positive attitude. He faced his challenges with courage and faith. He continued to work to make the highways safer for anyone traveling through Ohio.
Bob had 26 surgeries after the accident. Although he had insurance, the medical bills continue to mount. His therapies, surgeries, nursing care, adapted vehicles (so he could drive to work) were all due to the complications he has endured over the last 33 years.
When the accident happened, the family lived in a 4 level split home, which was not conducive for a wheelchair. They were forced to move to a handicap accessible home so Bob could move freely around the house. Subsequently, they refinanced their home twice and have also taken out loans to cover these expenses.
Due to perpetual complications from the accident, Bob passed August 24, 2016. He was in the a hospital almost 2 years of his last 3 years of his life. His last 3 weeks were spent in ICU. The bills continue to arrive and will for the next 6-8 months. Bob was a very proud man who did not take hand-outs.
We are trying to raise $100,000 to help defray the overwhelming medical bills that will be coming. We know we cannot cover all of them but we are desperately trying to help a family that has given so much to everyone they met. Anything that you can do to help this incredible family would be greatly appreciated. Oh behalf of the Gochoel family, Thank You!!!
Susan Gochoel
January 1983 - A family had to run an errand for their daughter’s school. On the way home, a drunk driver was attempting to light a cigarette and lost control of his car. It jumped a concrete median and resulted in a high impact accident. Bob Gochoel, an off duty Ohio State Highway Patrol Trooper, was seriously injured with a torn aorta which led to 3 heart surgeries within 8 hours. NO ONE, doctors included, expected him to live. Susan had 2 crushed femurs while their son had minor injuries and was sent to a different hospital. The rest of Bob’s life would be spent as a paraplegic in a wheelchair.
Although the driver was charged, he NEVER paid one penny as he was not insured. The driver also fled the state so the judgment that was awarded to the Gochoels could not be collected. After 7 months in the hospital and rehabilitation (4 months for his wife, Susan) Bob could have taken a disability retirement but he chose to return to work. At this time he was working for The Ohio State Highway Patrol as a Forensic Chemist in the crime laboratory. Bob received, analyzed, and stored criminal evidence from troopers throughout the state on a daily basis. He would then be subpoenaed to testify in court as an expert witness for the prosecution in a variety of cases (while in uniform and in a wheelchair). This led to more drunk driving convictions.
Bob forgave the drunk driver and continued living with so many physical obstacles and related medical issues. He always put others before himself, which was evident in him asking others “how they were doing” before ever speaking of his own struggles. He loved his family and made sure that his children would have as normal a childhood as possible. His work ethic and positive approach to life have been an inspiration to his family and countless others. In 1990, he was honored at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC as the Victory Award recipient for the State of Ohio for his “tenacity and courage in overcoming serious obstacles.”
Even after 26 years of service and his retirement, Bob was not ready to relax. He became a substitute teacher in Gahanna and continued to influence the lives of a younger generation. Bob was also a frequent speaker for the Franklin County Wellness Driver Intervention Program to help DUI offenders better understand the consequences of drinking and driving.
Bob Gochoel’s story will be an inspiration for years. He never complained or asked “Why Me?” He was always an optimist and had a positive attitude. He faced his challenges with courage and faith. He continued to work to make the highways safer for anyone traveling through Ohio.
Bob had 26 surgeries after the accident. Although he had insurance, the medical bills continue to mount. His therapies, surgeries, nursing care, adapted vehicles (so he could drive to work) were all due to the complications he has endured over the last 33 years.
When the accident happened, the family lived in a 4 level split home, which was not conducive for a wheelchair. They were forced to move to a handicap accessible home so Bob could move freely around the house. Subsequently, they refinanced their home twice and have also taken out loans to cover these expenses.
Due to perpetual complications from the accident, Bob passed August 24, 2016. He was in the a hospital almost 2 years of his last 3 years of his life. His last 3 weeks were spent in ICU. The bills continue to arrive and will for the next 6-8 months. Bob was a very proud man who did not take hand-outs.
We are trying to raise $100,000 to help defray the overwhelming medical bills that will be coming. We know we cannot cover all of them but we are desperately trying to help a family that has given so much to everyone they met. Anything that you can do to help this incredible family would be greatly appreciated. Oh behalf of the Gochoel family, Thank You!!!
Organizer and beneficiary
Anne Meyer Matunas Peck
Organizer
Columbus, OH
Paul Hamilton
Beneficiary
