Obituary of Howard Milton Goodman

Howard M. Goodman Howard Milton (Howie) Goodman died peacefully at home, surrounded by family on Monday morning, August 18, 2014 just shy of his 90th birthday. He was born August 25, 1924 in Denver, Colorado, the only child of Marie and John Goodman. He grew up in rural Denver. He was drafted after leaving high school and served in the 101st Airborne division of the Army. He was wounded and captured during the Battle of the Bulge. His life was saved by a German doctor who performed surgery on him. He spent the rest of the war in a POW camp. After returning to the states, Howard earned a degree in accounting from the University of Colorado, where he met his future wife Betty in 1949. They would have been married for 65 years in November. Together they raised eight children. Howard was a hands-on father before it was the norm, who helped his wife wherever he was needed, whether it was diapering the baby or helping prepare dinner. If there were little ones in the house, his lap was seldom empty. They lived in Van Nuys, California, Boulder and Loveland, Colorado, Newton, Iowa, and Columbia Heights, Minnesota, before they moved to Fort Atkinson in 1964 when he became controller at the Jamesway Division of Butler Manufacturing Co. Howard took classes at the Vocational School in painting, drawing, and furniture refinishing (along with his wife.) He and Betty worked together refinishing treasures they found at yard sales. Howard became a talented artist, whose preferred medium was colored pencils. His work appeared in art shows at the Hoard Museum. It was also frequently sold at silent auctions and other fundraisers for a variety of organizations. He was an avid golfer, who played several times a week each summer for many years. He was especially proud of the hole in one he made on the 15th hole of the Lake Ripley Country Club. Howard and Betty enjoyed ballroom dancing, participating in Dance Clubs and attending Dance Weekends throughout Wisconsin and Illinois. He kept the books for the Hoard Historical Society and after retiring volunteered at the Museum as a Hoard helper and greeter for many years. This was his favorite place to take out of town visitors. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to the Hoard Museum. A memorial service will be held sometime next summer. The Nitardy Funeral Home, Fort Atkinson, WI assisted the family.