Dr. William John Goodger

Dr. William John "Bill" Goodger Dr. William John "Bill" Goodger, 76, passed away on March 13, 2018, surrounded by his loving family. Named after his paternal grandfather who immigrated from England to Wisconsin, Bill was born in Chicago, Illinois in 1941 to Franklin and Evelyn Goodger. He graduated from Luther North High School in Chicago and attended Michigan State University where he earned a B.S. and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 1964. After practicing small animal medicine, he earned two Masters Degrees and a Doctorate from the University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine. The highlight of his career was working at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, as a professor of Epidemiology in the School of Veterinary Medicine with his beloved teaching-herd of dairy cows. Bill also was widely published in veterinary medicine and food animal production journals and worked with United Nations and the USDA in South America and Asia for over twenty years. In addition to his long, fulfilling career, Bill loved rooting for his Chicago Cubs, cycling and racing with "his tribes" in Visalia, the Midwest Masters Team, and most recently with The Flyers of the SLO Bicycle Club. He also was an active member and docent for the Friends of the Elephant Seal, where he served on the board of directors and the research committee. Known for his exemplary integrity and indefatigable perseverance in every aspect of his education, work, recreation and daily life, Bill also will be remembered for his easy grin along with his dry sense of humor and his sincere care and concern for people and animals in need. Bill is survived by his wife, Pat, of 54 years; daughter, Anne Honey (Doug); son, Tim Goodger (Monique); grand- children: Matthew, Megan, Julian and Jason; sister, Nancy Goebel (Richard); nephews: Dr. Gregg Goebel (Marilyn) and Marc Goebel (Brenda); niece, Lynne Goebel Halydier; extended family in Chicago, Michigan, and France; and his beloved golden retrievers: Whitney and Wally. A private memorial will be held by the family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Friends of the Elephant Seal, the Sierra Club, or Woods Humane Society.