Dr. Donald Goodrich

Hastings resident Dr. Donald E. Goodrich, long-time educator and community leader passed away Saturday, October 25, 2014, in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Memorial Services will be held Saturday, December 6, 2014; 11:00 A.M. at First Presbyterian Church, Hastings with Reverend Duane Queen and Reverend Charles M. Webster officiating. Private family burial will be at Parkview Cemetery, Hastings. Visitation will be Friday, December 5, 2014; 5:00 P.M. - 8:00 P.M. with family present at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Dr. Donald E. Goodrich Memorial Fund or donor's choice.

Donald was born July 20, 1928 in Fairmont, Nebraska to Homer & Mary (Dick) Goodrich. He graduated from McCool Junction High School in 1945 and received his Bachelor's Degree from Doane College in 1950. Donald taught English and music at Newcastle Public Schools in 1950-1951. He served with the U.S. Army from 1951-1953. Donald married Nancy Crossman on October 31, 1951. Their family included three children.

Donald attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and received his Master's (1955) and doctoral degrees (1965). He served as a vocal music teacher and the music coordinator at Hastings Public Schools from 1955-1973. Donald was Associate Professor of Teacher Education at Hastings College from 1973 until he retired in 1991.

He was a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Nebraska School Masters Club, Hastings Parent-Teacher Association, President of Hastings Civic Symphony Board of Directors, National Education Association, Nebraska State Education Association, National Choral Directors Association, American Choral Directors Association, Nebraska Music Educators Association, American Association of University Professors. At Hastings College, he was a member of Faculty Senate, Collegiate Council, Co-Sponsor Student Education Association, and Hastings College Area Educators Joint Council.

Donald was a barbershop enthusiast and church musician. He directed choirs at First Congregational and First United Methodist churches. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church and was its choir director from 1968-1983. He was a longtime member and director of the Hastings Chorus of the Plains. Don sang with the barbershop quartet The Four Dads in the mid-1960s and again for twenty years starting in 1992. He was a member of the Hastings Area Retired Teachers Association and Hastings Kiwanis where he enthusiastically led the club's weekly singing. Donald was inducted into the Nebraska Music Educators Hall of Fame in 1994 and Music Educator, Emeriti, Hastings Symphony Orchestra in 2010.

Donald was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Nancy Crossman Goodrich (1995); his son, Paul Campbell Goodrich (1968); his siblings Homer Eugene Goodrich (1990) and Evalyn Goodrich Foster (2002).

Survivors include his daughter Susan Marie Goodrich - Lincoln, NE; son Kurt Eugene Goodrich (Amy Fuchs) - Hastings, NE; granddaughters Maurianna Goodrich Shelbourn - Salt Lake City, UT, Abigaella Goodrich Shelbourn - Lincoln NE, and Kailey Emerald Goodrich - Hastings, NE; three siblings: Robert Dick Goodrich (Berdeen) - Pecatonica, IL, Anna Marie Goodrich Hall (Roland) - McCool Junction, NE, and Carolyn Goodrich Roper (Delvin) - Grand Island, NE; Shirley Johnston, April Kaul, Shea and Colton Fuchs. Also left to celebrate the memory of his life are cherished friends, an extended loving family, devoted students, colleagues, and musicians.