Dan Edward Goodwin

© Cheyenne Star

30 Apr 2009

Submitted by: Wanda Purcell

Dan Edward Goodwin, DVM., PhD., beloved husband, father, and grandfather, died on April 26, 2009 at his home in Stillwater after a long illness.

He was born in Durham, Oklahoma on January 4, 1928 to Robert Lewis Goodwin and Obera Hatley Goodwin.

Dan spent many happy years growing up in Durham until he joined the U.S. Navy on his 18th birthday.

After an Honorable Discharge on December 19, 1949, he attended Panhandle State University. After earning his bachelor's degree within three years, he applied and was admitted into Oklahoma A & M Collegee Veterinary program.

Dan served as Vice-President of the Student Council and was elected "Campus Male Favorite" during his junior year.

Dan married Ottie Alexander in 1956. They later divorced.

After graduation, Dan bought the practice of Dr. Frank Hester in Chelsea, Oklahoma. He practiced in Chelsea until Senator Robert S. Kerr of Kermac Ranch in Poteau, Oklahoma asked Dan to be their Ranch Veterinarian. Senator Kerr was eager to improve his Aberdeen Angus cattle and asked Dan to oversee the health and breeding program of the herd. After the death of Senator Kerr in 1963 the ranch was converted to a foundation. During that time, Dan met Dr. W. I. "Dub" Berry, operations manager of Winrock Farms. Dub invited him to visit Winrock Farms at Petit Jean Mountains near Morrilton, Arkansas. It was then that Governor Rockefeller hired Dan to grow and improve his Santa Gertrudis cattle.

In 1968, Dan returned to Oklahoma State University to work on his Ph.D. in Animal Reproductive Physiology. Dr. Goodwin received his Ph.D. in 1972. He was appointed to be Director of the Oklahoma Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory in Oklahoma State Uiversity. He was an integral part of the new laboratory building that was funded by the Oklahoma Legislature. Dan served as Director until he retired in 1991.

After retirement, Dan was committeed to giving back to the community for which he loved. He spent countless hours volunteering in Stillwater. He built homes for Habitat for Humanity and was an active member of the Stillwater Rotary Club.

Dan and Nancy Walker Goodwin married in 1995.

Dan had a great love of cattle, the fresh Oklahoma air and Lucchese boots. He also enjoyed wine making, cooking, bee keeping, carpentry, sketching, and traveling. Along with his wife, he traveled to every state and almost every continent. He made friends along the way and some of them even made it to Stillwater for a visit. Most of all, Dan enjoyed reminiscing about his life in Durham and the many cows he met along the way.

Dan was truly an inspiration to all those who knew him. He will be dearly missed, but he will always be remembered as the sweet and gentle boy from Durham, Oklahoma.

Dan was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Robert and John.

He is survived by his wife, Nancy; his brother Thomas Goodwin and his wife, Frankie Mae of Durham; two sons, Dan Luke Goodwin of Tulsa; and John Benjamin Goodwin and his wife Leah of Athens; two daughters, Suzanne Goodwin and her partner Eileen Keneally of Arilington, Maine; and Rebecca Rohlfing and her husband Richard of Stillwater; Kevin F. Walker of Santa Fe; John R. Walker and his wife Meliezza of Sugar Land; and Christopher J. Walker of Washington, D.C. and his wife Jean Im; as well as his grandchildren, Bailey Rohlfing, Kaitlin Goodwin, Jack Rohlfing, Emily Rose Goodwin, Liam Walker, Amelia Goodwin, Benjamin Walker, Kate Walker, Henry Rohlfing and Able Goodwin; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

A memorial service will be held at St. Andrews Episcopal Church on Saturday, May 2, at 11:00.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Judith Karman Hospice or to St. Andrews Episcopal Church.

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