Born and raised in New York, Richard Goodkind spent the last 25 years of his life as someone who loved being a part of the Berkshires community. He was a proud graduate of Northwestern University (class of ’50), where he was a three-time member of Northwestern’s Big 10 Champion Tennis teams. Richard “bled purple” throughout his life as a devoted alumnus. At the age of 66, he received an MSW degree from Springfield College (he later established a scholarship at the College) and interned and taught at the John Dewey School in Great Barrington.
An avid golfer, Richard greatly enjoyed many years of playing with friends and fellow members at Wyantenuck and was an enthusiastic sportsman his whole life. The majority of Richard’s professional career was spent in connection with Wall Street, at one point as a partner with his brother Robert in their own brokerage firm. He loved following the markets and finance, and had a love for history.
Richard was the son of David and Ruth Goodkind, who loved and cherished him. He was predeceased by his sister Sylvian, brother Robert, and son Jeffrey. He is survived by his sons Rick and Larry (from his first wife Judith Goodkind), his daughters-in-law Kathy and Maryann, his grandchildren David, Douglas, Alexandra, and Victoria, his sister-in-law Irene Goodkind, his stepdaughter Rebecca from his second marriage to Joan Goodkind, his nieces and nephews, and by Mickey Fierman, his longtime loving companion.
He may have left this life on November 12, but the memory of this affable and charming man lives on in the minds of friends and family. There will be a memorial gathering in the Berkshires in late June at a date to be determined.
