Richard Goodwin
Alton | Save
Richard A. Goodwin, 65, died June 13, 2011 with his loving wife Jan by his side. They were kindred spirits and enjoyed each other’s company after 21 years of marriage. On May 19th, 1990, he married the former Jan Belt Arnoldi at Main Street United Methodist Church. In addition to his wife he is survived by a son Troy (Julie) Arnoldi of Holiday Shores and four grandchildren, Brandon & Brooke Beckerdite and Addison & Reagan Arnoldi. Also surviving are two brothers George (Verma) of Cameron Park, CA and Ron (Barbara) of Lenexa, KS. and one sister Jo Ann Huntsman of Godfrey. He leaves many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, and dear friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Ellen (Stone) Goodwin, and a sister Viola Baehler.
He attended the Alton schools graduating in 1964. He participated in school sports through his sophomore year. In high school he played basketball for two seasons for the YMCA Flyers, making it to the Final Four in 1964.
In 1967 he was injured while a passenger in an automobile accident in Alton. He was paralyzed from the chest down and became a wheelchair user. In 1969 he entered SIU-E where he earned a BA in American Studies and an MA in Sociology. After graduation he lived and worked in St. Louis for approximately ten years.
In 1985 he returned to Alton as the Founding Executive Director of IMPACT, a disability rights and independent living organization. He was well known as an expert on the history and philosophy of the disability rights and independent living movements, regularly providing training around the state. Additionally his writings were used to help train individuals from new disability right advocates to Special Education students and professionals. He served as Executive Director of IMPACT until medical issues required his resignation in 2004. He remained as an Advisor for a short period.
During his life he received many awards of recognition including the Justin Dart Distinguished Citizen Award, the Ed Roberts Independent Living Award, The Magic Award, the Spirit of Independence Award, and the Alton YWCA Man of Distinction Award. Truly loving his community, his most proud moment came when being distinguished as the 2010 Alton Halloween Parade Grand Marshal.
In retirement he enjoyed time with his wife and extended family, renewing old friendships and attending Alton High School varsity basketball games. He downloaded 100’s of music videos, created music videos for the AHS class of 1964, and became a Video Blogger on living with colon cancer. He was generally ready on short notice for lunch or dinner out, driving his ramp equipped van around Alton; and at different times driving to Florida, Cape Cod, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Tennessee and other parts of the country.
Visitation will be from 4 pm until 8 pm Thursday, June 16th, 2011 at Elias, Kallal & Schaaf Funeral Home 1313 W. Delmar, Godfrey, IL. A funeral service will be held at 11 am Friday, June 17th, 2011 at the funeral home with Reverend George Humbert officiating. Inurnment will immediately follow at Upper Alton Cemetery.
It was his desire that Memorials be made to Lewis and Clark Habitat for Humanity Alton Chapter.
Online condolences and guest book may be found at www.eliaskallalandschaaf.com
Elias, Kallal & Schaaf Funeral Home
