Alfred Frank Goodman

Goodman, Alfred Frank, 85, philanthropist, passed away in his sleep February 23, 2008. Born January 24, 1923 in Biloxi, MS to Lucille Chambers and Alfred Flournoy Goodman. The eldest of three siblings, Alfred "Bob" graduated from high school in Cleveland OH. After attending Miami University in Oxford OH, he volunteered for the Army, attending OCS in Florida and OSS training in Virginia. Bob was part of the Normandy invasion, occupied Versailles before the Germans left Paris, and worked in OSS code section. He was awarded two bronze stars. Bob returned to Miami University, became a founding member of the 1833's, helped re-establish the original fraternity Alpha Delta Phi in 1948, and co-authored two musicals which funded construction of the Student Union Building. He graduated in 1949 with a B.A. Bob was a buyer for Rike's Department Store, purchased and operated a local beautician's school and began to collect art and antiques. He purchased the family cottage at Cowan Lake. Later he purchased the firehouse on Riverside Dr. previously owned by the first female photographer, Jane Reese. In 1965, Bob bought the historical house 630 Runnymede, Oakwood as a setting for his growing art collection. He traveled extensively, attended Glyndebourne Opera for decades, was a member of the English Speaking Union and the British National Trust. He went behind the Iron Curtain, rode camels in the Middle East, went on safari in Africa, toured gardens in Japan, cruised the Amazon, and toured throughout Russia, Eastern and Western Europe, and the Caribbean. Bob loved Oakwood, being part of the Oakwood Sister City Program, Oakwood Historical Society and the Oakwood Beautification Program. He assisted in founding the Cox Arboretum. He was a longtime patron of the arts, supporting the Cincinnati May Festival and Summer Opera, the Dayton Opera and Philharmonic Orchestra. He was a member of The Mother Church, Boston, MA and Second Church of Christ, Scientist, in Dayton. He is preceded in death by his sister, Elizabeth Nell Burton of Phoenix, AZ and brother, Elstun Flournoy Goodman of Houston, TX. He is survived by nieces Elise Lucille Moore, Susan Goodman Street, and nephews, Ernest Alfred Price, Timothy Alfred Goodman, Elstun Flournoy Goodman, Jr., Bentley Wellington Goodman, and friend Gregory Land. Memorial service will be Thursday, February 28, 1pm with visitation from 12-1pm Routsong Funeral Home, 2100 E. Stroop Rd., Kettering officiated by Elise Moore, C.S.B. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Cox Arboretum 6733 Springboro Pike, Dayton, Oh 45449 or First Church of Christ, Scientist, 175 Huntington Ave, Boston MA. 02115 Condolences and other remembrances may be sent to the family by visiting our website at www.routsong.com

Funeral Home:
Kettering Routsong Funeral Home
2100 E. Stroop Rd.
Kettering, OH
US 45429