Richard David Goodman's Obituary
Richard David Goodman, 75, passed away from Alzheimer’s disease on December 2, 2024, surrounded by his children, in the Assisted Living facility, Escalante at Coventry, in Cottonwood Heights, Utah. He was a retired civil engineer; mechanic; returned LDS missionary; BYU graduate; U.S. Air Force veteran; Washington, D.C. Temple construction worker; scuba diver; classic rock enthusiast; chocolate lover; creator of many nicknames for his four kids; and a proud grandpa to two wonderful grandkids.
Richard was born on December 9, 1948, in Washington, D.C. to Charles Goodman (“Wonder”) and Theo Faye Neves (“Bud”). He is survived by his five younger siblings: Carolyn Rose (Harry), Michael Stephen (Kathy), Patricia Faye, Pamela Kaye (Dennis), Diana Sue (Neil). They were raised in their beloved 12606 Goodhill Road home in Wheaton, Maryland.
At a young age, Richard exhibited signs of mechanical genius, taking apart and rebuilding the motor of the family lawn mower. Richard excelled in mathematics and science, as well as athletics, particularly football, while attending Wheaton High School.
Richard served as an LDS missionary in the Colorado-New Mexico mission from 1969 to 1971. Following his mission, he worked on the construction team of the Washington, D.C. Temple. He was inducted into the U.S. Air Force ROTC in 1973 while attending Brigham Young University, where he studied Civil Engineering. He served honorably as a Cable Maintenance Specialist, working with ICBMs at Grand Forks AFB, North Dakota until 1977. He later pursued graduate studies at the University of Maryland.
Over the years, Richard expanded his engineering work through various professional positions with BFGoodrich Chemical Plant; National Bureau of Standards at Ft. Meade, Maryland; National Semiconductor; Microelectronic Research Lab for Johnson Controls; Three Mile Island Nuclear Plant; Bethlehem Steel; Sinai Hospital of Baltimore; and the Plumbers & Steamfitters Local Union 486.
He is survived by his former wife, Claudia Constanza Poveda and their beloved children: Alexander Scott, Melissa Ann, Stephanie Lauren (Uriel), and Kevin Gabriel (Natalie); as well as two grandchildren: Jonathan Alexander and Isabela Anna.
Funeral Services will be held at the Utah Veterans Cemetery & Memorial Park chapel at 17111 South Camp Williams Road, Bluffdale, Utah on Monday, December 16, 2024 at 1:00 pm. Afterwards, the U.S. Air Force will perform military honors in commemoration of Richard’s military service.
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