Bob Goff, who shaped public opinion and policy for a half century on matters as diverse as tribal sovereignty and the construction of the Metrodome in the Twin Cities, has died.
Goff died Wednesday at age 80 after briefly battling an aggressive form of cancer.
With the St. Paul public relations firm that became known as Goff Public, he played a behind-the-scenes role in many high-stakes public affairs issues. But still, he retained the warmth and wit of a man who understood the value of personal connections.
"You treat them well because there's a lot of reasons why you should and there are almost no reasons why you shouldn't, your employees, your customers, whoever it is you are dealing with," Goff said in an interview with the Star Tribune last August. "This company has always done that. That part of it I'm very proud of."
Robert Eugene Goff was born in 1936. He grew up in Staples, Minn., a small city about 30 miles west of Brainerd. He graduated St. Cloud State University in 1958 with a degree in social studies education and an emphasis on history. Goff went on to teach American history at Mounds View High School until 1963.
As a teacher, Goff became active in DFL politics. He worked on numerous political campaigns, including John F. Kennedy's presidential run in 1960, many times helping with writing and placing advertisements for candidates across the state. After he left teaching, Goff became a senior aide to Gov. Karl Rolvaag, who served from 1963-67.
In 1966, the day after Goff helped Nick Coleman be re-elected to the Minnesota Senate, Coleman asked Goff to form an advertising agency with him. Coleman and Goff Advertising was established that month. Goff described Coleman as the more talented out of the pair.
"It was always a great wonderment to me that somebody would ask that I would write something," Goff said.
