The Goebel family papers are comprised of scrapbooks, correspondence, photographs, and printed material documenting two generations of the Goebel family. The collection primarily documents Paul G. Goebel Sr. (1901-1988) including biographical materials, photographs from Japan during World War II, and scrapbooks and newspaper clippings from his athletic career including captain of the University of Michigan football team, Mayor of Grand Rapids, and U-M Regent. Of note are a small number of personal letters from President Gerald R. Ford, with whom the Goebels were friends.
The Margaret E. Goebel materials (1942-1987) include a scrapbook of her writings and biographical files. The papers of Paul G. Goebel Jr. (1970-1974), document his two unsuccessful bids for public office including the University of Michigan Board of Regents (1970) and United States Republican Congressman from Michigan (1974).
The photo albums series (1971-1987) includes three volumes that contain the Goebel family photographs; as well as personal letters from President Gerald Ford and his wife Betty Ford, photographs, programs, clippings, and ephemera related to various events at the White House.
Paul G. Goebel, Sr. was born May 28, 1901 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He attended Central High School, graduated in 1918 and joined the U.S. Navy. After World War I, Goebel enrolled in the University of Michigan graduating with a degree in mechanical engineering in 1923. As a student, Goebel played football and baseball. In 1921 he was chosen as All-American and in 1923 served as football team captain. Upon graduating, Goebel played four years of professional football with the Columbus Tigers (1923-1925), Chicago Bears (1925), and New York Yankees (1926). In 1926, Goebel entered the sporting and athletic goods business with Thorne J. Brown, a business he owned until 1961. In 1928, Goebel began officiating high school, and later college, football games. He worked as a referee in the Big Ten Conference from 1935 to 1952. Paul Goebel married Margaret Callam in 1928 and they had three children: Paul Jr., Raymond, and Elizabeth.
During World War II, Goebel again joined the U.S. Navy. He served as the chief engineer aboard the USS Shangri-La aircraft carrier and attained the rank of Lieutenant-Commander. Goebel was awarded the Bronze Star for his service during the Bettle of Okinawa. After the war, he held several political positions including Republican Mayor of Grand Rapids (1950-1954, 1956-1958) and Regent of the University of Michigan (1962-1970). As Regent, Goebel was chairperson of the $55 Million Campaign, a fund drive held in conjunction with the University's sesquicentennial celebration. Paul Gordon Goebel died on January 26, 1988 in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Margaret E. Callam was born in Canada on October 15, 1903. Margaret, known as "Cal," was a registered nurse, writer, and active in civic organizations. She served on the National Civil Defense Advisory Council, the Office of Emergency Planning, and the Kent County chapter of the American Red Cross. During World War II she taught home nursing workshops through the Red Cross and ran statewide disaster and in-service teacher trainings for the armed forces. In 1963, the Governor of Michigan appointed Margaret to the Commission on the Status of Women and in 1966 she became chairperson. Margaret also wrote book reviews and a column, "Notes and Impressions," published in the Grand Rapids Herald. Margaret E. Goebel died on December 14, 1987 in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Paul G. Goebel, Jr. was born in 1933 and graduated from the University of Michigan in 1954. Paul Jr. was active in the Michigan Republican Party and ran unsuccessfully for the University of Michigan Board of Regents in 1970 and the U.S. House of Representatives in 1974. Paul Jr. founded an insurance company, Paul Goebel Group Inc., in 1964 and was involved in many Grand Rapids civic organizations including president of the Kent County United Way and the YMCA board of directors. From 1972 to 1974 he served as Kent County Commissioner. Paul Gordon Goebel, Jr. died February 15, 1996 in Ada, Michigan.
