Frederick Goddard

Frederick Owen Goddard, 79, passed away on Sunday, January 28, 2018, at a hospital near his home in Waynesville, North Carolina. The cause was complications from influenza.

After being raised in a rural, West Virginia town, Dr. Goddard rose to attain the rank of captain in the army, graduate with a PhD from Duke University, and taught economics at the University of Florida for over three decades. He was married to his loving wife, Diane Wood Goddard, for over 55 years and raised two children.

Dr. Goddard was born in 1938 in the small town of Paden City, West Virginia, near the Ohio River. He used to recall attending school alongside the town's other children in a single two-room schoolhouse. As a teenager, he moved to Florida with his parents Walter Earl Goddard and Anne Tidd Goddard, and his three younger siblings, Patricia, Penelope, and Michael. After his parents divorced, his mother moved with the children to Naples, Florida, where she married Walter Ritchie.

Dr. Goddard graduated from Naples High School and became the first person in his family to attend college when he enrolled at the University of Florida, graduating in 1963 with a degree in economics. It was at Florida that he met his wife, Diane. During his college years, Dr. Goddard spent time in the army, rising to the rank of captain in the artillery before receiving an honorable discharge.

After Florida, Dr. Goddard attended Duke University on a Woodrow Wilson Fellowship and graduated with his PhD in economics in 1966. He then returned to Gainesville and joined the faculty of the University of Florida, where he taught economics for over 30 years. During his time at Florida, he was notable for his devotion to his students and their education. His family members have all heard many stories from Dr. Goddard's students recounting how he inspired them to pursue the study of economics or went out of his way to help with a particular problem or issue. Many have described his influence as "life changing."

His focus on education also inspired his two children, Frederick Holt Goddard and Michele Leigh Goddard, both of whom graduated from the University of Florida and went on to obtain post-graduate degrees. His children remember him being an attentive and loving father, who took obvious joy from his involvement in their lives, whether coaching sports teams, attending equestrian events, tailgating before Gator games, or simply meeting them for lunch on the University of Florida campus.

While in Gainesville, Dr. Goddard became a pilot, obtaining an instrument license, twin engine license and an instructor's license. After his retirement, he and his wife spent over two years traveling through the United States and Canada. Together they settled in a mountain home near Waynesville, North Carolina, where they enjoyed hiking and receiving visits from their children and grandchildren.

During his time in Gainesville, Dr. Goddard was baptized into the Episcopal Church alongside his two children. In Gainesville, he was an active member of the parish of St. Joseph's Church and The Diocese of Florida. In North Carolina, Dr. Goddard was an active member of St. Margaret's Catholic Church.

Dr. Goddard's family remember him for his tremendous intellect. He was extremely well read and remained intellectually curious to the end. Found in his home after he became ill were copies of two Christmas presents: a history of the Russian revolution and a biography of Leonardo da Vinci, each bookmarked at the spot to which he had read them.

Dr. Goddard is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Diane, his children, Holt and Michele, his sister, Patricia, six grandchildren and four nephews. He is already sorely missed.

A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, April 6, 2018 at St. Margaret of Scotland Catholic Church in Maggie Valley, North Carolina.

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