Dr. Leonard Alan Goddy

December 10, 2023 ~ 27 Kislev 5784
Dr. Leonard Alan Goddy, an orthopedic surgeon for more than 40 years, a leader of Louisville's Jewish community, and a passionate provider of medical care to underserved children and families, died on December 10, 2023, at his home in Louisville. He was 90.
Dr. Goddy was an innovator and early adopter of new medical technologies. He helped introduce to the U.S. and popularize the use of the external fixator, a technique pioneered by a Soviet doctor, to treat difficult fractures, lengthen legs and realign legs and arms. His long-running orthopedic clinics at Kosair Crippled Children's Hospital on Eastern Parkway and Norton Children's Hospital improved the lives of many thousands of children.
Having experienced prejudice and antisemitism as a youth, he worked assiduously to strengthen support for younger Jewish families. As president of Congregation Adath Israel, he led its merger in 1977 with Louisville's other Reform Jewish congregation, Brith Sholom, and oversaw the construction of a new Temple building and pre-school on US-42 and Lime Kiln Lane. He remained a long-time board member and trusted advisor to the Temple's rabbis and leadership.
After his retirement, Dr. Goddy served from 2005 to 2018 on the Board of Governors of Family Health Centers of Louisville. This not-for-profit center with seven clinical locations, established in 1976, provides primary and preventive care to more than 40,000 people, regardless of their ability to pay. He was twice elected as chair, from 2009-2011 and 2013-2015.
Dr. Goddy was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and raised in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood, where he attended Taylor Allderdice High School. He graduated from Washington & Jefferson College in Washington, PA, then enrolled in medical school at the University of Louisville, graduating in 1958. He began his orthopedic practice in 1963. As a young doctor, he was a ringside physician for WAVE TV's weekly boxing broadcasts and at Golden Gloves fights. With his close friend Dr. Ronald Levine, he examined boxers for the 1960 Olympic trials at Freedom Hall; one young fighter with remarkable reflexes told him, "Doc, you're taking care of the next heavyweight champion." The young boxer was Muhammad Ali.
Dr. Goddy served as a lieutenant colonel and surgeon at the U.S. Army's 8th Field Hospital in Na Trang, Vietnam. There he treated seriously wounded U.S. servicemen, Vietnamese civilians and scores of North Vietnamese prisoners. When the newly assigned Special Forces commanding officer badly broke his leg on a parachute jump, Dr. Goddy saved his field command by treating him in country; the grateful C.O. made Dr. Goddy an honorary Green Beret, a rare honor.
A loving and fiercely loyal father, grandfather, and friend, Dr. Goddy was preceded in death by his parents, Abe and Jeanette "Shankey" Fineman Goddy; his sister, Carol Tobin Lewis; and his wife and equal partner of 57 years, Lynn Francis Cassen Goddy.
He is survived by his loving partner of 10 years, Donna Stone; his children David Goddy (Cecilia Schmidt); Karen Goddy (Kai Palchikoff); Suzanne Weintraub (Bruce); and grandchildren Sonya Goddy (Najeeb Tarazi), Julian Goddy, Alec Palchikoff, and Jordan, Adam and Jillian Weintraub.
Donations can be made to The Temple, Family Health Centers of Louisville, Jewish Family and Career Services, and the Lewy Body Dementia Association.
Funeral Services will begin at 1:30 p.m., on Thursday, December 14, at The Temple, 5101 US-42, Louisville, KY 40241, with visitation beginning at 12:30 p.m. until the time of service. Burial will follow in The Temple Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to Herman Meyer & Son, Inc.
The Temple Cemetery
Section A-8; Lot 129; Grave 1