https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/wlfi/name/george-goble-obituary?id=61144779 Menu [wlfi] [wlfi] Search by Name Search by Name Add a Memory Send Flowers Make a Donation Share Obituary Sign the Guest Book Send Flowers Share George Harry Goble George Harry Goble obituary, West Lafayette, IN Send Flowers Follow Share About Purdue University FUNERAL HOME Hippensteel Funeral Home, Inc. 822 N 9th St Lafayette, Indiana George Goble Obituary George Harry Goble, affectionately known as "GHG," of West Lafayette, Indiana, passed away peacefully on March 18, 2026, at Majestic Care of Lafayette. He was 73 years old. Born on December 11, 1952, in Centerville, Indiana, George spent his early years there before pursuing his passion for technology. He was preceded in death by his parents, George Washington Goble and Lucille Serepinas Goble, and by his sister, Carol Ann Goble Warner. He is survived by his brother-in-law, Michael Warner, with whom he remained close; his nephew, Cody Warner of New York City; and his devoted friend and caregiver, Jennifer N. Isbell of West Lafayette. George also leaves behind many cherished friends, including Kathy Willowood, Michael and Yvonne Parkinson, John Phillips, Joe Cychosz, Maggie and Elliot Dale, Rex Bontrager, Diane S, Nancy Bulger, Jim Lehnert, Dave Chasey, and Dan St. John, as well as several cousins: Kim, Debbie, Mikey, Buzzy, Sara, and Susie. George graduated from Purdue University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering. He became a founding member of the Purdue Engineering Computer Network (ECN), where he dedicated his career until retirement. A true pioneer in computing, he was an early expert in the UNIX operating system and collaborated with industry legends such as Dennis Ritchie, Ken Thompson, and Bill Joy. In recognition of his contributions, Purdue University honored him in 2022 as an Outstanding Electrical and Computer Engineering Fellow. His innovations included early work in parallel processing by connecting DEC VAX systems, developing PNET (an early networking system), and broadcasting one of the first web-based videos of a solar eclipse. A striking example of his forward-thinking occurred years ago on a beach in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, where George-sitting on the sand with a laptop connected via his cell phone-became one of the first people to read email over a mobile connection to a computer at Purdue. As a friend noted, "This was a real bit of history... At the time Apple had a whole engineering team trying to do this and here's George on the beach making it happen." Beyond computing, George contributed to refrigeration technology, including work related to R-406A during the phase-out of ozone-depleting refrigerants, and later innovations aimed at improving thermodynamic efficiency. In 2006, he partnered with Jerry Woodall to develop a hydrogen fuel system that used solid aluminum to split water into hydrogen and aluminum oxide, successfully demonstrated at Purdue. George's unforgettable personality and humor gained national attention when he prepared a barbecue grill in a record three seconds using charcoal and liquid oxygen at the annual Eta Kappa Nu (HKN) picnic. The feat was featured in a June 1995 column by Dave Barry and earned him the 1996 Ig Nobel Prize in Chemistry. In his personal life, George was a man of routine and simple pleasures. He was a familiar face at the local Pizza Hut in West Lafayette and enjoyed daily lunches with friends at Noble Roman's for many years. His bright yellow Hummer became something of a local legend, always managing to find a parking spot no matter the weather. Jennifer N. Isbell, who cared for George over the past six years, first met him when she was working as a clerk at the Sunspot Natural Market in West Lafayette. What began as friendly conversations at the store grew into a deep and lasting friendship. Over time, Jennifer became his devoted caregiver, and their bond extended far beyond caregiving. Through daily routines, conversations, and quiet moments, their relationship grew into one of deep trust, respect, and companionship. Jennifer's unwavering compassion and dedication allowed George to remain comfortable, supported, and surrounded by familiarity in his later years. Her presence brought him not only care, but laughter and dignity-gifts that meant the world to him. George will be remembered as a brilliant innovator, a loyal friend, and a one-of-a-kind individual whose intellect, creativity, and humor left a lasting impression on all who knew him. No services are scheduled at this time. Share memories and condolences online at www.hippensteelfuneralservice.com To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store. Obituary published on Legacy.com by WLFI on Mar. 31, 2026. Sign the Guest Book Memories and Condolences for George Goble Expand the Memories and Condolences form. [ ] Not sure what to say? --------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------- Submit Your Message How do you know George Harry Goble? (Optional) Family Friend Work School Other --------------------------------------------------------------------- From[ ] Your Email (will not be displayed)[ ] [*] Get email updates for this page Submit Your Message 1 Entry Hippensteel Funeral Home, Inc. March 31, 2026 Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time. How you can show support Follow Get email updates whenever changes are made. Send flowers Consider sending flowers. Add photos Share their life with photo memories. Plant trees Honor them by planting trees in their memory. Donate in Memory Make a donation in memory of your loved one. Share this page Invite other friends and family to visit the page. Showing 1 - 1 of 1 results Make a Donation in George Goble's name Memorial Events for George Goble To offer your sympathy during this difficult time, you can now have memorial trees planted in a National Forest in memory of your loved one. Plant Trees Plant Trees Funeral services provided by: Hippensteel Funeral Home, Inc. 822 N 9th St, Lafayette, IN 47904 Call: (765) 742-7302 People and places connected with George Lafayette, IN WLFI Follow Recent Obituaries * L. Jack Baker * Elizabeth "Betty" Faye (Stenger) Armstrong * Christine Marie Fraker * James Ray "Jimbo" Glaze * Jimmy Messer See All Obituaries West Lafayette, IN West Lafayette Obituaries Follow Recent Obituaries * Martin "Pete" Lee Rosa * Jennifer Owen "Jennie" Cole * Timothy W. Grimes * Duncan Everett Searle * Christine Marie Fraker See All Obituaries Last name "Goble" Obituaries Visit this Page Recent Obituaries * Kenneth M. Goble * Dianne Goble * John A. Goble * Jeffery Earl Goble * Lawrence William "Larry" Goble See All Obituaries West Lafayette, Indiana Purdue University Follow Recent Obituaries * Janet McDougle Alberts * Martha Lee Gutmann and Robert Gutmann * MICHAEL A MALEC * Robin Louise Phillips * Richard Davis Rick See All Obituaries How to support George's loved ones [funeral-etiquett] Attending a Funeral: What to Know You have funeral questions, we have answers. Read more [Sympathy-flowers] Should I Send Sympathy Flowers? What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative? Read more [what-to-write-in] What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card? We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time. Read more [funeral_poems_16] Poems of Mourning and Comfort The best poems for funerals, memorial services, and cards. Read more View All Resources to help you cope with loss [grief-support-400-shutterstock] How to Cope With Grief Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you. Read more [thumb-close-estate-shutterstock_2014009754-585x391] Estate Settlement Guide If you're in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist. Read more [obituary-writing-2023-shutterstock-1000-585x390] How to Write an Obituary Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide... Read more [podcast-mic-Shutterstock-585x390] Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy's news editor on NPR podcast Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write. Read more View All Ways to honor George Goble's life and legacy [Obituary-Example] Obituary Examples You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family. 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