Robert Goodall (1913-1991)

Robert Goodall (1913-1991) Rita Goodall (1922-2010)

Robert James Goodall was born 27 November 1913 in Alton in Hampshire, son of Lorenzo & Laura. He served in the army in WW2 it is thought in the Royal Artillery. In 1946 he married Margherita Tomiani in Italy, although once they returned to England she was known as Rita. Rita was born 1922 in the Istria peninsula in Italy, it is close to the Croatia border & also Trieste.

On his return to England Robert became a schoolmaster at a private school. He also had a vast collection of books in the house & attic collected over many years from second hand book shops & book fairs. His bridge collection included original classics from Culbertson, Jacoby & MacLeod.

In the 1960s & 1970s Robert & Rita were one of the leading pairs in Kent & won most of the KCBA competitions playing together, as listed below. They also played in many EBU congresses often doing very well, for example in January 1969 they won the Droitwich congress teams from a field containing many internationals. At the bridge table Robert was the quintessential old school English gentleman with impeccable manners. Rita had a more fiery Italian temperament.

Robert & Rita ran the East Kent bridge club based in Folkestone for many years. They also played regularly at Ashford Bridge Club. Robert died 13 October 1991 while living at Cherry Gardens Avenue in Folkestone. Rita then continued to run the East Kent club for a few years until the lease ran out. She continued to play at Ashford & Folkestone bridge club until about 2009 & was still winning many club trophies including “Player of the Year” in 1995. After Robert's death Rita donated the Goodall Cup in his memory to Ashford Bridge Club & it is still being contested. Rita died 29 July 2010 in Folkestone.

KCBA cups won by Robert & Rita playing together:-

Arnold Cup 1964 Arnold Plate 1971 Birkle Bowl 1967 & 1974 Brook Cup 1973 Buck Cup 1975 Dyer Smith 1976 Gentry 1974 Spurway Bowl 1978 Hunter Cup 1970,1976 & 1977 Lukey 1973 Larsky 1978 Jameson 1964,1966,1967,1969,1971 & 1972 Dover 1991

In addition to the above cups Rita also won the Fleming Femina in 1966 playing with Ngaia Bayley.