John Godwin

John Godwin November 23, 1925-November 26, 2008 John was born in Silesia, and as a child moved with his family to Vienna, where they lived until emigrating to Australia in 1938. John attended Sydney University, after which he began his career as a journalist, first in Sydney, then in London. He worked as a crime reporter and as a foreign correspondent, in Europe and Asia, for Australian and British newspapers. Since 1962 he lived in San Francisco writing numerous magazine articles and authoring seven books ranging in subject matter from a history of Alcatraz to the changing mores of a changing society. John was known for his deep interest in, and great knowledge of, world history. He was a fascinating talker, stimulating and intriguing, a man of many parts, including kindness and loyalty. All who knew John will miss him very deeply. John is survived by his loving wife of twenty-two years, Arleen, and by his nephews, Peter Lewinsky (Diane Lewinsky) and Stephen Lewinsky (Katie Lewinsky), of Melbourne, Australia. A service will be held on Monday, December 8, at 3:00 p.m. at the Columbarium, 1 Loraine Court, San Francisco.