Robert Cooke Goolrick died in Lynchburg, Virginia, April 29, 2022 of Covid pneumonia.

Born August 4, 1948 in Charlottesville, to Chester Bernard Goolrick Jr., and Mary Esten [Cooke] Goolrick, he grew up in Lexington.

Valedictorian at Johns Hopkins, he studied for two years abroad as a Watson Scholar and published "The Paros Dream Book."

He wrote and directed advertisements, principally at Grey New York. As a sideline, he worked in movies with director Paul Schrader and others.

In this century, he wrote a series of best-selling novels including "A Reliable Wife" and "Heading Out to Wonderful." Two memoirs reflected experiences in New York and Lexington: "Fall of Princes" and "The End of the World as We Know It." Several works were published in French.

Survivors include brother, Chester Bernard Goolrick III [Faye] of Decatur, Georgia; sister, Lindlay Maitland [Goolrick] Ford [Russell] of Lexington; cousins, John Byers [Alexandra] of Christchurch and Sally Byers [Thomas] of Reston; nephew, Jesse Ford [Martha] of Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania; and nieces, Alexis Willard [Burke] of Richmond and Alice Goolrick of Atlanta. There are five great-nieces and two great-nephews.

Burial will be private.

Those wishing to donate in Robbie's memory are directed to Rockbridge SPCA, Lexington, VA; Blue Ridge CASA for Children, Staunton, VA; or Authors League Fund, Brooklyn, NY.

Arrangements are by Harrison Funeral Home & Crematory.