Bruce Dale Goddard

GODDARD, CHRIST, BERNEMANN

Posted By: Sarah Fletcher (email)
Date: 5/9/2023 at 10:40:44

Bruce Dale Goddard, 77, of North Liberty, died at home on March 30, 2023.

Bruce was born in Emmetsburg, Iowa, on December 6, 1945, to Glen and Margaret Goddard, the third of six children. After graduating from Emmetsburg High School in 1964 as salutatorian he attended the University of Iowa, graduating with distinction in 1968 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish and a minor in German. He began graduate work in Spanish at the University of Iowa in the fall of 1968.

Bruce married his wife Carolyn [née Christ] on December 28, 1968. After receiving draft papers, he entered basic training at Fort Polk, LA, in May 1969. He completed advanced individual training as an intelligence analyst at Fort Holabird in Baltimore, MD. He shipped out to Vietnam on October 31, 1969, and served a year in country at Nha Trang, followed by a year at Ft. Shafter in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Bruce and Carolyn moved to Germany in 1972, where he taught English for three years at various locations in the north. After returning to the States, Bruce attended law school at the University of Iowa, graduating in 1980.

In addition to practicing privately for more than 30 years, Bruce served as a Johnson County Magistrate for 28 years, as West Branch City Attorney for 25 years, and as Solon City Attorney.

Bruce suffered from prostate cancer, Parkinson’s disease, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and type 2 diabetes, all of which are assumed by the Veteran’s Administration to be the result of exposure to Agent Orange when he was stationed in Vietnam. He died of Parkinson’s disease 15 years after being diagnosed.

Bruce was a conscientious, hard-working person who loved his family and lived his values. He threw himself wholeheartedly into any new endeavor, enjoyed learning, and was happiest outside in his garden. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Carolyn; his son, Christopher (Berlin, Germany); his daughter and son-in-law Laura Goddard and Ryan Bernemann (Iowa City); three siblings; and four grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to Wounded Warriors, the Parkinson’s Foundation, the American Parkinson Disease Association, or Iowa City Hospice.

Lensing Funeral & Cremation Service
 

Johnson Obituaries maintained by Cindy Booth Maher.
WebBBS 4.33 Genealogy Modification Package by WebJourneymen