At SUNY Oneonta, Robert Goetschkes studied history, economics, and foil fencing. After graduation, he served in US Peace Corps Tonga for 2.5 years and Enlisted in US Coast Guard during Gulf War I, where he served honorably for 11 years. Robert then earned a Master of Arts Degree in Elementary Education with a Field Endorsement in Secondary Social Sciences, leading him to teach for 25 years. For five years. He also served in the Red Cross Disaster Services Department and was an aquarium diver at Henry Doorly Zoo.

Robert's favorite things include spending time with his family (wife and two daughters), coaching high school track & field (throws coach), hiking, SCUBA diving, fishing, carpentry/remodeling projects around his home, watching NY Yankees baseball games on TV (especially when they're winning!), following college & professional football (especially Nebraska Cornhuskers & New England Patriots).