Robert Hale Ives Goddard (September 21, 1837 – April 22, 1916) was a prominent banker, industrialist, U.S. Army officer, state senator and philanthropist.

During the war he fought at the battles of Fredericksburg, Cumberland Gap, Blue Springs and Campbell Station, at the sieges of Knoxville and Petersburg, and was present for Lee's surrender at Appomattox.

Goddard was elected a Companion of the Massachusetts Commandery of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States (MOLLUS), a social and patriotic organization for officers who had served in the Union armed forces during the Civil War.

In 1874 he was elected commander of the 1st Light Infantry Regiment - a chartered militia unit whose membership was largely from the leading families of Providence.

[1] On June 24, 1886, he had the honor of serving as the chief marshal of parade to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the founding of Rhode Island.

He was a long serving director of the Rhode Island Hospital Trust Company and owned a controlling interest in the Providence and Worcester Railroad.