Walter Robert Goedecke was born on March 11, 1928, in Gary, Indiana, to Walter and Mary M. Goedecke. During his youth in Gary, he attended public schools including Horace Mann High School. He completed his high school education at the University High School of the University of Chicago, graduating in 1944. From 1945 to 1958, he attended the University of Chicago, attaining a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1945, a Master of Arts degree in 1952, and a doctorate in 1958. He also spent two years at Harvard University, where he received a Master of Arts in Philosophy in 1955. His teaching career began in 1954 as a lecturer at the University of Chicago. After receiving his doctorate he taught at Central University of Iowa, Southern Methodist University, Southern Illinois University, Kansas State University and Florida State University. In the fall of 1970, Dr. Goedecke was hired as Professor of Philosophy at Central Washington University. He taught at Central until his retirement in the spring of 1993. In retirement, he focused on writing and publishing. His publications include God in Ellensburg, Persons of Spirit and The Devil in Gary, Indiana .
From the guide to the Central Washington University Faculty Papers, Robert Goedecke, 1967-2002, (Central Washington University Archives and Special Collections)
