David Charles Goodrich

David Charles Goodrich passed away in Redlands, Calif., on Tuesday, December 4, 2012. Born June 17, 1929, in El Centro, Calif., to David Lyman Goodrich and Gertrude Schneider Goodrich, Dave was bigger than life to his family and friends. He attended elementary school in Calexico, Calif., before moving to San Bernardino, Calif., in the early 1940 s where his dad worked for Garner-Muth, a car agency. The family lived on a ranch on Victoria Avenue near the current Costco store. As a boy, Dave s farming chores included rising at 4 a.m. every morning to milk the cow. Dave attended Redlands Junior High School and Redlands High School, graduating in 1947. He attended Cal Poly San Luis Obispo for one year. After marrying Arlene Sue Jones of El Centro in Redlands, Calif., in 1949, Dave went to work for Broomcrist and Wiedeman, a produce-hauling company in San Bernardino. His National Guard unit was called up in 1950, and Dave was assigned to Camp Cook (now Vandenberg Air Force Base) and Ft. Benning, Georgia, for training. Dave rose to the rank of staff sergeant and received an honorable discharge in 1952 after earning several medals for his service on the front lines in Japan and Korea during the Korean War. He remained actively involved with his unit, Company C of the 224th Army Infantry, until his passing. After his discharge, Dave returned home to his wife and two children, Linda Sue, 2, and David Samuel, six months, and worked for the Laura Scudder Co. as a route salesman until 1970. Son Robert Lyman joined the family in 1953, followed by daughter Donna Jean in 1957. The family enjoyed many years of vacation time at their trailer along the Colorado River near Blythe, Calif., with friends and additional family members. In 1970, Dave planted milo maize along the Colorado River, where he pursued his life s dream of owning a farm. His venture was thwarted when the local tribe of Native Americans refused to renew his lease on the property. Dave returned to Redlands and was hired by Larry Jacinto Construction, working as a heavy equipment operator of several types of equipment until retiring in 1992. Dave was preceded in death by his daughter Linda, his parents and his brother, Don. He is survived by Arlene (Susy), his wife of 63 years, son David and daughter-in-law Marlene and their two sons, David Martin and Sean Michael, and their wives Elena and April; son Robert, his wife Emy and son Grayson; daughter Donna, her husband David Hahn and their two children, Matthew David and Victoria Lynn; and four great-grandchildren. Dave also leaves his brother Richard and his wife Jan, as well as sister-in-law Beth Goodrich of Redlands. Private graveside services for family and close friends will be held at Hillside Memorial Park in Redlands on Monday, December 17, at 11 a.m. 12/10/12