David George Goodwin

Published 10:14 am Monday, August 5, 2024

David George Goodwin

1931–2024

Dave once said that, for him, death would be like a long, peaceful nap. And so it was that in early July, having recently celebrated his 93rd birthday and ready for rest, he lay down and closed his eyes. At Hospice House a few days later, on July 10, Dave began his peaceful nap, with family at his bedside.

David George Goodwin, who died in his adopted home, Bend, Oregon, was born in June 1931 to George Arthur Goodwin and Mary Kay Goodwin (née Parmele) in Rochester, New York. Dave grew up in Rochester and, later, Buffalo, before leaving for Antioch College in Yellow Springs, Ohio, where, in 1954, he was awarded a bachelor’s degree in government and economics. 

His first job out of college was with Goodwill Industries in Dayton, Ohio, where what would become a very distinguished career in public relations first took root. By 1962, when the Mead Corporation, a Fortune 500 company, installed Dave in its PR shop at its world headquarters in Dayton, his resume could already boast a tenure of over five years as Goodwill’s PR director, followed by two and a half years as editor of plant publications at Mead’s Chillicothe, Ohio, division. Dave’s impressive streak of promotions at Mead culminated with his elevation to manager of corporate communications, where, among other things, he excelled at speechwriting and creating the company’s annual reports. Best of all, he genuinely enjoyed his work, which is why he was so manifestly good at it. After sharing 34 years of his life with Mead, Dave retired in 1994.

Outside of work, Dave took pleasure in many outdoor pursuits, and chief among them, perhaps, was fishing. He and his dear friend, David VerBouwens (“Uncle Daver” to the kids), who predeceased Dave, embarked on many fishing trips in Ontario and Michigan, always returning home with new beards, a cooler full of walleye and pike, and a trove of good stories and memories. He also took up running and was always a stalwart participant in the annual Turkey Trots. And in middle age, with the indispensable encouragement and companionship of his daughter Karen and her husband Pete, Dave took up long-distance cycling. Astonishingly, in fact, Dave hurried along his recuperation from quintuple-bypass heart surgery by riding his bicycle (joined by Karen and Pete on theirs) from Dayton to the North Carolina Outer Banks. This was but one of many enriching bike journeys that Dave went on with them in different parts of the country.

It was on his third try at marriage, to Joan in 1985, that Dave succeeded beyond his wildest dreams. This union ushered in a 39-year period of sustained happiness for Dave as he delighted in the love and friendship their partnership enveloped him in. To his very last days, you could not see Dave without seeing how signally happy he was to have Joan at his side and to be at hers.

Dave and Joan were fortunate to indulge their love of travel, which they kicked off by honeymooning in Greece. Before long they could be found exploring China. They cruised the Danube through central Europe. They pulled salmon from the frigid waters — and went heli-hiking along high mountain ridges — of British Columbia. Of his life in Bend, Dave was grateful for the friends he made and especially for his Oval Table lunch group. He also appreciated Bend for all the opportunities it gave him to hike and walk, hand in hand with Joan, in beautiful, natural settings.

Dave is survived by his beloved wife Joan, by his half-brother Glenn Goodwin (and his wife Wendy), by his daughter Karen Goodwin (and her husband Peter Hollingsworth), by his son Christopher Goodwin (and his wife Christina Pelech), and by his grandchildren Caitlin and Ben Goodwin. Dave was predeceased by his son Michael and by his sister Elise Freed.

Joan’s daughters and grandchildren also mourn Dave’s death. Ann, husband Richard Bair, and children Melissa, Caroline, and Steven; Amy, husband Greg Bartley, and children Elizabeth and Andrew; and Linda Sanford and children Kimberly, Kelly, Ryan, and Lucy. They all loved Dave very much and he loved them.

Throughout his life, Dave was an advocate for civil rights and voting rights for all and a staunch supporter of the disadvantaged. To that end, he volunteered at Bend’s Bethlehem Inn, which provides shelter and services to the homeless, and served on its Board of Directors.  

Those who had the fortune to know him will remember Dave for the kind, witty, and wonderful person he was. 

Should you wish to honor Dave by making a gift in his memory, the family would appreciate your considering Bethlehem Inn or Partners In Care.