Dave Goodman Memorial Page

Many have memories of David Goodman
By GEORGE GERMANN
Daily News Staff Writer

A prominent Huntingdon businessman and a “giver” to his community died Friday afternoon at Altoona Regional Health System, Altoona Hospital Campus.

David K. Goodman Jr., 58, was president and CEO of D.C. Goodman & Sons. He was a native of Mount Union, but had been a longtime resident of Huntingdon.

Mr. Goodman traveled in many unconnected circles as he was a member of the prestigious Pennsylvania Society, sat on the board of trustees of Juniata College, was an investor, a philanthropist, a member of the Republican Party’s state finance committee, a sports fan and just a guy on the stool next to you at a club.

“He affected Huntingdon in many positive ways that few people know about,” Dr. Thomas R. Kepple, president of Juniata College, told The Daily News.

“Personally, I will miss his smile, unique blend of seriousness and sense of humor, his good advice, his thoughtfulness and humble approach to life. It is a sad day for Juniata College and all of Huntingdon,” said the college president.

One of the many organizations Mr. Goodman supported was Huntingdon County PRIDE.

“The PRIDE organization has lost one of its most faithful and largest contributors,” said executive director Sandy Bair. “We, as a PRIDE family, have lost a good friend. We extend our most sincere sympathy to his daughter, Alison, and our thoughts and prayers are extended to the family of this good man. He will be missed by many.”

Mr. Goodman was known to be a contributor to Republican Party candidates and committees.

“Huntingdon County has lost a leader in business and politics with Dave Goodman’s passing,” Representative Bill Shuster told The Daily News. “He was a strong voice in Republican politics that will be missed.”

Another Mount Union native, Harvey Reeder, said although he knew Dave in high school, it was after he (Reeder) came back to the area from law school that the two became very good friends.

“People don’t know of his quiet philanthropy,” said Reeder.

Many in the community looked up to Dave Goodman. “I valued my relationship with Dave as a friend and a professional peer,” said Steve Sliver, president and CEO of Mutual Benefit Group. “He was somebody I looked up to as he was a leader in the community.”

Mr. Goodman was a 1970 graduate of Mount Union Area High School and was a member of Juniata College’s Class of 1974.

In May, he received an honorary doctor of humane letters degree from Juniata at the college’s 133rd commencement ceremony. He also served Juniata as a member of the board of trustees since 2002.

In addition to his duties at Goodman and Sons, he was a founding director of Nittany Financial Corp., the parent company of Nittany Bank. When Nittany Bank was sold to National Penn Bank in Boyertown, Goodman was asked to serve on the National Penn Bank’s board of directors. He retired this year as a director for Huntingdon County United Way, where he served previously as a board member, past president and past campaign chair.

 

A Great Friend and Supporter

It is with profound sadness and shock that I am sending this to let you know that Dave Goodman died yesterday.

Without a doubt DRAP has lost a great friend and supporter.

A great friend and the most benevolent man I have ever met.

Please keep his daughter Allison and his family in your thoughts and prayers.

A sad day.

Stu Jackson
Director, Huntingdon County DRS & Past President, Domestic Relations Association of Pennsylvania (DRAP)
8/19/11

last updated 08/22/2011