David Stewart GOODES

I am indeed saddened by the news of David's death. Early in his long career at King's, he had a room in Galpins House where he was my house tutor for a while. I had quite extensive dealings with him in '56-'57 when I was secretary of the Boat Club (a largely scheduling type of job) and we shared a common love of music. I still have an LP record he gave me when I left King's of Bach Organ works played by Helmut Walcha - an unnecessary gift, but greatly appreciated. We met only once in the past 50 years when I came over from Ontario to sing in the Edred Wright anniversary concert in 2002. Of the thousands of pupils at King's since my time, he knew immediately who I was. Impressive.

In my mind's eye I have a picture of David, quite beside himself with rage at one of our more lamentable pieces of rowing: the sight of this man, small of stature but great of heart, jumping up and down, his head appearing at intervals above the grass and reeds on the river bank was temporarily amusing. The smile was wiped off our faces when we assembled in the boathouse after our outing.

His influence on so many aspects of my life cannot yet be adequately measured: suffice to say he was a great man.

David Goodes ("DSG" as he was fondly known) was an incredible influence on the development of rowing at King's Canterbury, laying a foundation that has endured for decades. By the time I came to the school in 1975 it was already set up very well with David's transition to VIIIs on a river that was really too small and bendy, and yet had he done so well at the major school rowing events that it was considered one of THE top schools for rowing in the UK. But David was also a guiding light in the school orchestra, encouraging me to continue blaring away on my trombone when others said it should not be combined with rowing, and let's not forget, studying for good exam results. My condolences to his family and the school that meant so much to him.