Irwin Arnold Goodman

  Irwin A. Goodman      Madison - Irwin A. Goodman passed away on August 30, 2009, and Madison mourns the loss of one of its most caring and generous citizens.   Irwin was a very special member of our community, where for seven decades, he was at the forefront as a business leader, philanthropist, and volunteer.      Irwin's first visit to Madison in 1937 resulted in love at first sight.   At that time, a natural athlete, he was a shot-putter and discus thrower for the University of Minnesota track team, competing against the University of Wisconsin-Madison.   Madison's lakes, Capitol, UW Memorial Union all made a lasting impression on him.   When Irwin had the opportunity to buy the non-performing jewelry store on State Street owned by his father and uncle, he jumped at the chance, and moved to Madison.   More than seventy years later, it is Irwin, and his brother, Robert D. Goodman, whom have left a lasting impression and impact on our city.      Irwin had a well-deserved reputation for being kind and honest and this is the philosophy he applied to Goodman's Jewelers, the State Street business he owned with his brother, Robert D. Goodman, since the late 1930's.   This same philosophy was practiced in monumental proportions within the Dane County community.       Irwin was born on July 1, 1915 in St. Paul, Minnesota, the first of two devoted sons of Belle and Harry Goodman.   Most fittingly, Irwin's birthday, July 1st, has been designated ""Irwin A. and Robert D. Goodman Day"" by the United Way of Dane County, in recognition of the generosity and caring demonstrated by the two brothers.  Irwin was truly one of Madison's leading citizens.      Irwin graduated from the University of Minnesota where he lettered in track and field.   He was inducted into the U.S. Army in January 1943 and served as a special services officer, where he was in charge of the athletic and training program at Camp Lee, Virginia, and was discharged in December 1945 with the rank of Captain.   For more than forty years, Irwin has been a committed vegetarian (vegan) and he attributed his long and healthy life largely to his dietary practices.   For over forty years, Irwin traveled all over the world, including many cruises with his brother Bob, but he was always grateful to return to Madison and his many friends.      Nelson Underwood once said ""The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit.""   Irwin planted many trees that will serve the Madison Community for many years to come.   Along with his brother, Robert D. Goodman, Irwin was instrumental in establishing a long list of facilities, and programs that serve our community.   These include Madison's first community swimming pool (Goodman Pool); the University of Wisconsin ""Goodman Diamond"" Women's Softball Stadium; the Atwood Community Center (renamed the Goodman Community Center) new building;  the 154 acre Irwin A. and Robert D. Goodman Jewish Community Campus in Verona that serves all of Madison and Dane County; established major scholarships through the UW-Madison Foundation; established the Goodman Rotary 50+ Program that provides healthy lifestyle instruction to over 3,000 seniors in the Madison area through the Madison School-Community Recreational program, and is recognized for excellence; provided the Mosely Building for the development and year-round planning of the Badger State Games; established an endowed scholarship program at Edgewood College; helped established the Irwin A. and Robert D. Goodman Fund within the United Way of Dane County Foundation; the originator of the Methodist Hospital Foundation; has supported HospiceCare since its inception in Madison; initiated the first Red Cross donor pin; established endowment funds at Temple Beth El and Beth Israel Center, and the Madison Jewish Community Council; established the education building at Temple Beth El; dedicated the sanctuary at Temple Beth El in loving memory to his parents, Harry J. and Belle Goodman; endowed the Jewish Social Services' Lechyaim lunch program that now carries the name of Irwin A. and Robert D. Goodman; sponsor of the WHA TV telethon; provided financial support for the Wienert Center for Entrepreneurship, School of Business, University of Wisconsin;   sponsor of Madison's Mounted Police; originated and funded Meriter Hospital's ""Dial-A-Dietician"" nutrition program; benefactor to the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International; provided funding for the 3.25 mile Rotary Jogging Path in Downtown Madison; sponsor of Madison Civic Center's weekly free ""Kids in the Crossroads"" series that entertains and educates children; sponsor of the Annual Triplicate Bowling Contest; originator of the Rotary Senior Service Award that honors individuals age 65 or older for their civic and social service to the community; and much more -- many of these anonymous gifts.   Irwin's history of kindness, honesty, and generous service will continue through the many gifts and investments he has made in our community.      Irwin's volunteer activities in Madison include: member of the Mayor's Commission on Human Rights; board member and campaign chair for the American Red Cross, Dane County Chapter; director of the Methodist Hospital Foundation; member of the Civic Auditorium Committee; director of the YWCA Foundation; director of the University of Wisconsin Foundation; and director of the Jewish Welfare Council, and many others.      Irwin was recognized numerous times for his business leadership, philanthropy and volunteer activities.   Among his recognitions are: the award of a Doctor of Humanities Honorary Degree from Edgewood College; recipient of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian Award; recipient of the Philanthropist of the Year Award; the City of Madison renamed Franklin Field the Irwin A. and Robert D. Goodman Park; the 200 Block of State Street has been designated as Goodman Plaza (marked with a plaque) in recognition of leadership and contributions to Madison; recipient of the Alexis de Tocqueville Society Award by United Way of Dane County; named one of the Outstanding Citizens of Madison by several magazines; recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Society for Fund Raising Executives; recipient of the first Women in Sports Club Award for contributions to the Women's Athletic Program of the University of Wisconsin-Madison; elected lifetime honorary member of the Madison Jewish Community Board of Directors; recipient of the Alex Temkin Distinguished Service Award; recipient of the Madison Pen and Mike Club - Bowman Sports Foundation Pat O'Dea Award; recipient of the Wisconsin Women's Collegiate Sports Club's Distinguished Service Award;   recipient of the Small Business Award by In Business magazine; recipient of the Wisconsin Jewelers Association Distinguished Service Award; recipient of the Downtown Wisconsin Salute Award for contributions to a better environment in Madison's central city; named by Madison service clubs as the Olympian of the Year; recipient of the Rotary Manfred F. Swarsensky Humanitarian Service Award; recipient of the Rotary Joseph G. Werner Meritorious Service Award; designated an International Rotary Paul Harris Fellow; recipient of the Boy Scout Good Citizen Award; recipient of the W Club Award for Outstanding Service to the University of Wisconsin-Madison, inducted into the Madison Athletic Hall of Fame as an all around athlete; named as one of the fifty people who have made the biggest difference in Madison in the past fifty years; and many additional recognitions.      Success has many measures, but none so powerful as a hand reaching out to another in a gesture of support and human kindness.   By this measure and many others, Irwin was a very successful man.   Irwin lived his life according to his ideals of deep commitment to the people of this community.   When asked about his extraordinary philanthropy, Irwin would always quickly mention his mother, Belle, explain that she was the inspiration of goodwill, and that she passed this on to him.   Irwin found happiness in life through service to others, and his generosity will be remembered for generations to come.      His loving brother, Robert D. Goodman, many cousins, and innumerable friends survive Irwin.   Although Irwin is physically no longer with us, he will always be remembered, and his generosity will continue to benefit Madison, the city he loved, and that loved him.      There will be a private memorial and burial service for family members only.   Memorials may be made to the Goodmans Inc. , C/O US Bank, P.O. Box 7900. Madison, WI 53707, or the charity of the donor's choice.