Thomas J. Goodrich
September 06, 2009
Thomas J. Goodrich, 62, of Johnston, IA, died of melanoma on Sunday, September 6, 2009 at Bright Kavanagh House in Des Moines, IA. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, September 11, 2009 at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway in West Des Moines. The family will greet friends at the funeral home from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Thursday evening.
Tom was born in Grinnell, Iowa to Lotus Arden and Dorothy Irene Richman Goodrich. Tom grew up on a farm outside of Malcom, Iowa. He attended country school through the 7th grade, and graduated from BGM High School, Brooklyn, Iowa in 1965. In high school, Tom participated in football, track and student government. In 1965, he set a high school record for the 100 yard dash, which still stands. He was a member of the Malcom Presbyterian Church and Youth Group, as well as an active member of 4H. He later attended the University of Iowa, received a Business Degree from Coe College, Cedar Rapids, IA and MBA degree from St. Ambrose College, Davenport, IA. Tom was united in marriage to Lynda Ormiston in the First Presbyterian Church, Brooklyn, Iowa on September 11, 1965.
He began a 40 year career with the U. S. Postal Service, in 1966 as a mail handler at the Iowa City Post Office. In August, 1970, Tom graduated from the U. S. Postal Inspection Service Academy in Bethesda, MD, as the youngest person to attend the training academy. He was domiciled in Eau Claire, WI until Oct. 1974, when he accepted a transfer to Cedar Rapids, IA. Throughout his Inspection Service career Tom conducted and participated in financial and criminal inspections for the postal service. In December, 1979, Tom was named Postmaster of Clinton, IA. Tom served in the position until November, 1998, when he became Retail Manager for the Hawkeye District. While in the district office, he also held the positions of Marketing Manager and Post Office Operations Manager. In September, 2002, Tom became Postmaster of Des Moines until his retirement from the Postal Service, January 2006. After his retirement, he served as an adjunct professor of business and marketing classes at the University of Phoenix.
During his postal career, Tom was a member of the Clinton and Scott County Postmasters, and NAPUS. He served as Officer-in-Charge of the Dubuque, IA. Post Office from December 1998-September 1999, and had served on various postal boards. He was a deacon and elder in the First Presbyterian Church, Clinton, IA. Tom was a member of the Iowa High School Athletic Association, serving as a high school official for football, basketball and soccer. He was a founding member of the Clinton YMCA Soccer League, helping to coach and officiate for many years. Tom was a member of the Iowa Gun Dog Club. He enjoyed fishing, skeet shooting as well as pheasant, turkey and duck hunting with family, friends and his German Wirehair Pointer, Kit.
Tom is survived by his wife Lynda; their three children, Stacy (Jeff) Raines of Newton, Tony (Amanda) Goodrich of West Des Moines and Jenny (Jon) Rubino of West Des Moines; grandchildren, Austin, Kate and Laura Wyre of Newton, Jack and Wyatt Goodrich and Reese and Evelyn Rubino all of West Des Moines; step-grandson, Alex Raines, Eugene, OR; his father Lotus Goodrich of Coralville; brother Larry (Darlene) Goodrich of Gravis Mills MO; and his sister Marla (Wayne) Ross of Coralville; five nephews and one niece. He was preceded in death by his mother and grandparents.
The family requests memorials be given through an act of kindness, that time or money be given to someone or a charitable organization in memory of Tom. Please send his family a note about your gift. Memorials may also be given to the Wyatt House, Columbia, MO or to the Central Iowa Gun Dog Club, Des Moines, IA.
Notes of condolence may also be offered at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.
Mary J. Knipper
09/17/2009
I would like to extended my deepest sympathy on the
passing of husband/father, Tom.
A friend had just told me of Toms' passing today--I was
saddend by the news.
I am a retired postal employee from Dubuque Ia., and had
the pleasure of getting to know Tom from his time spent
in the Dubuque office. He was always a fair and just
person, who always had the ability to treat all people
as equals-----what a gift!
Please know that you have my deepest sympathy on Toms'
passing.
Don & Robbie Miller
09/11/2009
Dear Lynda:
We were so sorry to hear of Tom's passing. You have our deepest sympathy. We regret that we're not able to be there to support you and your family, but know how much we care. We cherish the memories from high school and all of Tom's athletic abilities and warm spirit. Your dedication to each other and your family have maintained throughout the years which is so uncommon in these days. Must be that great upbringing in Brooklyn, Iowa.
We love you and share in your sorrow.
Chris, Terry & Zoe Bryant
09/11/2009
Stacy & family,
We are sorry to hear about the loss of your dad. Our prayers will be with you during this time.
Rebecca Schmidt(Martindale)
09/10/2009
Tony and Amanda,
So sorry to hear about your dad's passing. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family.
Connie Andersen, Clinton, Iowa
09/10/2009
Dear Lynda,
I'm so sorry to hear of Tom's death. I miss the many times our cross stitch group would gather to stitch and chat. Please know you are in my prayers.
May Gods presence begin the healing in your heart and soul,
And may His love surround your family with the comfort only
He can give.
In prayer and friendship,
Connie
Lynn(Carroll) Holverson
09/09/2009
Linda, Stacy, Tony and Jennifer,(and families)
How saddened I was to hear of your loss- Tom has left such a legacy because of the type of husband, father, and man he was. He was a man who gave of himself to others through his job, commitment to family and outside activities. I am thankful I was able to know him and see a glimpse of the man you all love so dearly. My prayers continue to be with all of you and know that Tom is with God peacefully doing all that he enjoyed here on earth. God Bless you all and may you all find comfort in knowing his spirit will continue to live on in each of you!
With my deepest sympathy,
Lynn
Dan Foley
09/09/2009
I first met Tom about 1977 when he was still in the Inspection Service. He interviewed me and my neighbors for a routine background check that was done on all postmaster applicants. I was struck by his good humor and his kindness. I went on to become postmaster in Davenport shortly after Tom was appointed postmaster in Clinton. In these capacities we served many years. Tom was on many teams, boards and committees that involved the improvement of people's lives and their working conditions. He was instrumental in developing many of the future leaders of the postal service in this area. Tom also had the opportunity to be an official for various sports contests in the Quad City area. In this capacity Tom got to know at least one of my children, a basketball player at Davenport West High. I will always remember that Tom said nice things about our son after the game, not as an athlete but as a nice young man. That was Tom. It was my good fortune to know Tom and share many of the same situations and conditions for many years. Now, don't take this wrong, but Tom had his opinions. I learned to respect those when we disagreed and I learned to listen to his reasons. Tom was an excellent postal manager. Tom also talked about his family more than once. I recall his Halloween scarecrow scare among the items that he really enjoyed. His family should know that we who worked with Tom, were better off for that experience. He will be missed by us all.
Linda Bottema
09/09/2009
Lynda & family
I am so glad to hear your last day with Tom was such a special one. My heart goes out to all of you. Tom is probably having a wonderful time in Heaven with friends and family that have gone before him. He seemed to enjoy life to the fullest but the life he is enjoying now is the one we all strive for and we Praise God for his new life. Please know that I will continue to pray for all of you that you will find peace & comfort from our Lord Savior's arms.
Sheila O'Tool
09/09/2009
Another Postal worker, I had the opportunity to work with Tom while he served in the district offices in Des Moines and I was President of the Iowa Chapter of NAPUS. Tom was honest, trustworthy and straight forward with me, qualities much appreciated as I was the leader of 900 Postmasters in the state of Iowa. Tom had my utmost respect and I always enjoyed visiting with him whether it was more socially at a NAPUS convention or in a Post Office where we would often agree to disagree.
Sheila O'Tool
Postmaster, Lake City IA 51449
Scott Werner
09/09/2009
Lynda and family, I am sorry for your loss, I hope you can find comfort in knowing that Tom is no longer suffering.... God Bless
Gerald Pieruccini
09/09/2009
Although I only know Lynda from work I would like to send my sincere condolences for your families loss. My mother attended St Ambrose's college as well so it seems she and Thomas had something in common. My wife and I will say a prayer for your family..
Sandy Ellis
09/08/2009
Mrs. Goodrich and family,
I also worked for the Post Office and frequently had contact with Tom. He was a wonderful man, well respected. I was so sorry to hear about his passing. Please know that you are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Sandy Ellis
Postmaster Retired (Elkhart)
NAPUS member
Al & Jane Littrel
09/08/2009
Linda,
What a shock! Al & I are in Anchorage, AK for the NAPUS national convention. We won't be home until Sept. 24th. We are saddened to learn of Tom's death:-( Our sympathy and prayers go out to you and your family. Tom and you were good friends of the Scott Co. Postmasters. He will be missed.
In sympathy,
Al and Jane Littrel, Blue Grass,IA
Melissa Ormiston Hoesli
09/08/2009
Lynda-
Mary Beth called to tell me the news. My heartfelt sympathies go out to you and the kids. Always remember the smiles and the sunshine that you all shared-those moments will be in your hearts forever...
Love,
Melissa
Bruce Thiher
09/08/2009
This is just a remembrance from years ago when Tom was the PI in Cedar Rapids. I was just a young kid getting my start with the post office administration in the front office there.
I had run into some difficulty transferring an office in Southern Iowa and wasn't quite sure how to proceed but I did know that Tom would be able to help. I called him and sure enough he was a rock that helped me alot and he was also underneath that tough exterior was a very kind and gentle man.
Our paths crossed infrequently in the following years as he ascended the ladder but whenever I saw him, he was always smiling and I believe always helping someone else along the way.
Bruce Thiher
Minneapolis MN