WALTER F. GOODMAN

GOODMAN--Walter Flato, A world-renowned breeder-owner-handler of Skye Terriers and an American Kennel Club judge died October 6 in Miami, FL at 91. An enthusiastic traveler who traversed the globe nine times, Goodman was also a patron of the arts and a Life Trustee of Villa Vizcaya. Born to Maurice and Adele Goodman on August 15, 1922 in Rye NY, Goodman followed his father's advice to "Live up to your name: "Good-man." After graduating from Rumsey Hall and the Hotchkiss School, Mr. Goodman attended Yale University ('44). He interrupted his studies in January 1943 to join the United States Army. By the end of WWII, Goodman was second in command of a U.S. P.O.W. camp on the outskirts of Antwerp, Belgium housing 1,700 German soldiers. Following the War, Mr. Goodman completed his bachelor's degree in International Relations at Yale and later earned a Masters in History at Columbia University. Although Goodman worked as a trust officer at the Bank of New York, an associate producer at NBC and at Mike Ellis Productions, his true life's work and passion was in the sport of purebred dogs. His mother Adele founded Glamoor Kennels in 1937 with Walter joining in soon after, and Glamoor Kennels became known as one of the top Skye Terrier kennels in the world, breeding American, Canadian, French and Italian champions. Goodman's dogs earned a record 300 Terrier Group Firsts and 99 Best-in-Shows including Westminster Kennel Club's, where he handled Ch. Glamoor Good News to a Best-in-Show in 1969. After retiring from the show ring in 1975 to become an AKC judge, Goodman judged dog shows worldwide for 36 years, including Best-In-Show at Westminster Kennel Club in 1994. As the Skye Terrier Club of America's delegate, Mr. Goodman was elected to the American Kennel Club Board of Directors in 1988 serving for an unprecedented 24 years to March 2012. Goodman was a long-standing member of Westminster Kennel Club, Westbury Kennel Club, The Kennel Club (UK), Morris & Essex Kennel Club, and Palm Beach Dog Fanciers. He was proudest of having served as President for 28 years at Montgomery County Kennel Club, the club that sponsors the largest, most celebrated all-terrier show in the world in Blue Bell, PA each October. Goodman's innumerable contributions to the world of purebred dogs included his being a founding member of the AKC Museum of the Dog and of the Canine Health Foundation. As a Member of the University of Pennsylvania's School of Veterinary Medicine Board of Overseers, he co-founded along with Robert A. Flanders the Walter Flato Goodman Center for Comparative Medical Genetics. Goodman's recent honors include the American Kennel Club's Lifetime Achievement Award in 2011 and his induction into the Anne Rogers Clark Hall of Fame at the Show Dogs of the Year Awards in 2013. A resident of Miami, FL since 1973, Walter is survived by his son Robert A. Flanders, five nieces and nephews, three great-nieces, his many close friends, and his beloved Norfolk Terrier, Gypsy. A memorial "Celebration of Life" will be held early next year. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Walter Flato Goodman Center for Comparative Medical Genetics, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3800 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6008.