About the Author

About the Author

Grover C. Gouker, "The Real Corresponding Santa Claus "
October 15, 1922 - May 16, 2009

Grover C. Gouker was a nationally known Public Speaker, Motivator, and Humorist. He has taught courses in Human Relations and People Skills, Sales, and Public Speaking. Mr. Gouker also has conducted thousands of workshops, seminars and presentations for businesses, organizations, civic groups, conventions, hospitals and educational groups. He has spoken to more than 20,000 audiences.

Often referred to as the “Williams Jennings Bryan of the Jaycees,” Mr. Gouker was a former President of the Hanover Jaycees, former State President of the Pennsylvania Jaycees and former Vice-President of the U.S. Jaycees. He was the Founder of the Hanover Area YMCA and Founder of the Hanover Friends of the Library. Mr. Gouker was the Charter President of the Pennsylvania JCI Senators. He was a former Chapter Chairman of the American Red Cross and former Founder and Commander of the AMVETS in his hometown of Hanover, Pennsylvania.

Mr. Gouker was elected to the World President’s Committee on Community Development–Junior Chamber International. The Korean Ambassador cited him for special recognition for the State Chairmanship of Korean War Orphans. He was inducted into the United States Junior Chamber of Commerce Leadership Hall of Fame in 2004 and was awarded the prestigious Jefferson Award in 2005 for community service.

His most treasured avocation was his Letters to Santa project, which has entitled him to the name of Official Corresponding Santa Claus. Mr. Gouker and his 58-year project were featured on ABC News Nightline with Ted Koppel on Christmas Eve in 2001.
The project began after Mr. Gouker accepted a job at the post office in Hanover, Pa., following his return from the service as a young man. While working long hours at Christmastime, he could not help but notice the volume of letters addressed to Santa Claus. Unfortunately, these letters were thrown into the wastebasket.

To Mr. Gouker, that just wasn’t right. These children were pouring out their hearts to the one person they thought could satisfy all of their wishes. It was his belief that someone should be answering those letters. And so, with the permission of the Hanover postmaster, he began doing just that. Answering the children’s letters quickly became a labor of love, which continues to this day. Thus far, Mr. Gouker has answered more than 100,000 letters from children and adults from all 50 states and seven countries.

Mr. Gouker had dreamed for years of writing a book about this project because he was so passionate about it. When he was forced to slow down a few years ago, due to a partial loss of sight and other health challenges, he decided to fulfill this dream. At age 85, one year before his death, he accomplished this goal of writing not only one book, but two! Let this be an inspiration to all of you to never give up your dreams. Believe in yourself because others believe in you.

Mr. Gouker lived in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, with his wife, Gloria. He has two daughters, Patti and Peg, and a granddaughter Erin.

105 Greenview Drive
Lancaster, PA 17601
Phone: (717) 560-7922
Email: gouker@santaanswers.com