Retired Marine Lt. Col. Philip E. Goble, beloved husband, father, Pop, brother, friend, and hero to his family and the nation, stepped into his eternal duty station on Sept. 12, 2026, at his home in Gettysburg. He was 82.
He built a life of integrity, honor, and service through hard work, dedication, sacrifice, commitment, and perseverance. He was an anchor for his family, an example of love, humility, humor, attitude, determination, support, and heart unmatched in our world. He was as proud of them as they are of him.
Lt. Col. Goble was born in Ellenville, N.Y., on Nov. 26, 1943. He moved with his family to Miami, Fla., at age 10 and eventually graduated from Miami Edison High. In Miami, he met Jesus and gave his life to the Savior.
A Mustang, he enlisted in the Marine Corps on June 14, 1962, and embarked on a long and distinguished career. After initial training at Parris Island, S.C., he began his military journey at the Infantry Training Regiment in Camp Lejeune, N.C. He was then assigned to Company “A,” 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, before being promoted to Corporal and transferring to the 2nd Marine Division Headquarters Personnel, Classification, and Assignment Office. From there, his service spanned the Corps and the world.
During his career, Lt. Col. Goble served in various roles, from Administrative Chief, Personnel Officer, Assistant Wing Adjutant, Platoon Commander, Base Adjutant, Executive Officer, and Battalion Commanding Officer.
On April 23, 1978, Goble was promoted to Captain and accepted appointment to an unrestricted officer status, thereby becoming the first Marine Corps Limited Duty Officer to convert to unrestricted officer status.
His personal decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy Commendation Medal (two awards), the Combat Action Ribbon, the Presidential Unit Citation, the Navy Unit Commendation Award, the Good Conduct Medal (two awards), the National Defense Service Medal with one star, the Vietnam Service Medal with two stars, the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, the Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm and Frame, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Palm and Frame.
Following his illustrious military career, Goble owned and operated Toblin Enterprises, a home renovation and remodeling firm.
Left to keep his memory and legacy alive are his wife of 33 years, Rita T. Goble, and his beloved four-pawed girl, Sadie, who stayed by his side wherever he went for the past eight years, and shared their home in Gettysburg with them.
He is also survived by his son, Rev. Philip E. Goble Jr., and his wife, Michelle, of Hamlet, N.C., and his daughter, Susan A. Mullens, and her husband, John, of Charlottesville, Va. He is also survived by a granddaughter, Marilyn G. Moore, and her husband, Jeff Moore, and Lt. Col. Goble’s soon-to-be-born first great-grandchild, Samuel Jeremiah Moore; and two grandsons, Jesse Utz and his girlfriend, Ashley Husboe, of Charlottesville, Va., and Devon R. Goble of Kannapolis, N.C.; and a step-granddaughter, Rebekah G. Mullens, of Charlottesville, Va. Also, brothers-in-law, Bill Tobin of Cambridge Springs, Pa., and Tom Tobin of Green Valley, Arizona; and sister-in-law, Helen Hipple of Norfolk, Va.
He also leaves behind his brother, Rick Tatum, and his wife, Cathie, of Flat Rock, N.C.; nephews, T.J. Tatum, and his wife, Carol, of Orlando, Fla., and Daniel Tobin of Erie, Pa.; and nieces Wendy Adamson, and her husband, Stephen, of Asheville, N.C., and Carrie Morgan, and her husband, Kevin, of Bloomsburg, Pa.; and a plethora of great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, and other family members.
In addition, special friends Kari-Anne Klouman of Asker, Norway, and Carsten Klouman, and his wife, Trine W. Klouman, of Nordstrand, Oslo, Norway, will always remember him, as will his former business partner at Toblin Enterprises, Steve Czaikowski. The full list of friends whose lives he touched and impacted is too long to mention.
Lt. Col. Goble was preceded in death by his parents, Marjorie and Ernest “Pop” Tatum; his brother, Ernie Tatum; brother-in-law, Larry R. Tobin; his first wife, Janis Goble; and several uncles, aunts, and cousins.
The family would like to extend heartfelt appreciation and thanks to the wonderful nurses and doctors at WellSpan Cancer Center in Gettysburg, as well as his other doctors and staff in the WellSpan Health System. Special thanks also go to the kind and caring Hospice staff who helped greatly.
Visitation will be on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026, from 6 to 8 p.m., at Monahan Funeral Home, 125 Carlisle Street, Gettysburg, Pa. A celebration of his life and career will be held on Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, at 10 a.m., at First Baptist Church Gettysburg, 1015 Chambersburg Road, Gettysburg, Pa., 17325. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery in Gettysburg.
Semper Fi, Marine. Ooo-Rah! You reached your EAS. Well done … enter into the rest of your Savior.
Monahan Funeral Home in Gettysburg is assisting the family with funeral arrangements and online condolences may be made at monahanfuneralhome.com.