David George GOODWIN

GOODWIN, David George
David George Goodwin, who graduated from Cordova High School in 1975 and went on to become a professor of engineering at Caltech, passed away at home in Pasadena on November 11, 2012, after a five-year struggle with brain cancer. He is survived by his wife, Frances Teng, and their children, Timothy and Erica. He is also survived by his parents, George and Verma Goodwin of Cameron Park, sisters Ellen Levy and Jennifer Smith (Stuart), nieces Hannah Levy and Kathryn Smith, and nephews Ian Levy, Zach Smith and Ben Levy.

Dave graduated from Harvey Mudd College in 1979 and earned a doctorate in mechanical engineering at Stanford University in 1986. He then spent two years working at the Max Planck Institute in Munich, Germany. In 1988 he joined the Caltech faculty as an assistant professor of mechanical engineering and applied physics. He became an associate professor in 1993 and a full professor in 2000. Dave retired in 2011 and was named professor emeritus.

As a friend from his college days said, 'In life, I never knew anyone smarter than Dave. But what I admired most about him were his values, his ethics, and his sympathy.' Although he died at age 55, he had traveled the world both with his family and alone, was an accomplished artist, enjoyed woodworking and took classical guitar lessons as long as his health permitted. He fought to defeat his illness because, as he said, 'I love my life!'

Dave's family will hold a celebration of his life in Elk Grove on December 22. Anyone wishing to attend can get information by e-mailing sjsmith@surewest.net.

For more information about Dave's work at Caltech, visit www.caltech.edu/content/caltech-mourns-passing-david-g-goodwin