Norwick Goodspeed

Norwick "Wick" Beauford Houston Goodspeed Oct. 21, 1949 - Oct. 15, 2012 Resident of Glen Ellyn, Illinois Wick Goodspeed, a long-time resident of Palo Alto, passed away at his home in Glen Ellyn, Illinois on Monday after a heroic struggle with ALS. He was 62. Wick was born in New Haven, Connecticut, growing up in Fairfield and attending Fairfield Country Day school. He spent his high school years at Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts and enrolled in a post-graduate year at Tonbridge School in Kent, England. In 1972, he received his BA from Yale, where he played on the ice hockey team, and his MBA from Stanford's Graduate School of Business in 1977. He was a successful business leader in the fast-changing medical technology field, working as a marketing and executive manager for nearly 35 years. He served as president of several successful medical companies, including McGaw, Transvascular and most recently Flowcardia. His greatest joy was his family. He married Mary Detmer in 1985 and together they raised three children, Nick, Will and Molly. After a series of job-related moves, they settled in Palo Alto, where Wick said he spent the happiest years of his life. Wick was an avid sportsman who ran several marathons, enjoyed tennis, and played competitive ice hockey until he was 50. He shared his love of sports with his children and moved from the playing field to the sidelines, coaching, cheering and supporting their many teams. He and Mary led the Palo Alto High School Sports Boosters for many years, turning it into one of the school's most successful fundraising organizations. A passionate musician, Wick and another local father grew weary of seeing the same deejay play the music at the Walter Hays school fundraiser every year and decided to form a band of "rocker dads." In 2001, they took out an ad in the school newsletter seeking musicians and within weeks, seven fathers formed "The Wildcats," with Wick playing bass. The group attracted a loyal following, playing at events and parties for more than a decade and raising over $100,000 for local schools. Wick was honest and humble, a gentle and kind man with a quick wit, keen intellect and gracious spirit. He dearly loved his family and friends and gave generously of his time and of his heart. He leaves behind his devoted wife Mary, his three loving children Nick, Will and Molly, his mother Elizabeth Reeves Goodspeed, his brother Roger, many nieces, nephews, and in-laws, and legions of friends who will forever love and miss him. Celebrations of his life will be held in both Chicago and Palo Alto. The local memorial will be held at 11 am, Saturday, October 27, at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 600 Colorado Avenue, Palo Alto. In lieu of flowers, his family would appreciate donations in his memory to any of the following organizations: Les Turner ALS Foundation, 550 W. Touhy Ave., #302, Skokie, IL 60077; Adventist St. Thomas Hospice, 119 Ogden Ave., #111, Hinsdale, IL 60521; or, Palo Alto High School Sports Boosters, 50 Embarcadero Road, Palo Alto, CA 94301.