Obituary of Alan C. Goodwin

Alan C. Goodwin passed away on 02/27/2024 at the age of 87. He was born on January 15, 1937, to Harold and Rita Goodwin in Springfield, Massachusetts. Both Harold and Rita were in the Military and as a result, Alan lived in many different places growing up, such as South Carolina, New York and Maine. Alan had one brother, Stephen Sidelinger.

Alan earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Springfield College and two Master’s degrees, one from the University of San Francisco and one from St. Cloud State University. He worked as a Health teacher from 1970-2002 at Hosterman Jr. High School and then later at Cooper High School. He was also the swim coach at Cooper High School during his entire teaching career. Alan’s perspective on education focused on getting his students immersed in real life situational learning and applying those skills to their everyday lives. He did not limit his teaching to learning a curriculum and taking tests. He was a teacher who students knew they could come to for life advice or ask for help, if they were having difficulties at home.

Alan was an extremely active person throughout his life and enjoyed playing in racquetball leagues, golf leagues, boating, sailing, windsurfing, scuba diving, pickleball, gardening and was well traveled. Alan was a social butterfly who loved going out for dinner and drinks with friends and colleagues. He spent the majority of his retirement years enjoying Minnesota during the summer months and Arizona during the winter, with frequent trips to Hawaii.

Alan suffered from COPD towards the end of his life and passed away from complications due to Covid/Pneumonia. He was preceded in death by his father Harold, mother Rita and his wife Beverly. He is survived by his brother Stephen (Florida), his two children Scott (Minnesota) and Rodney (Texas) and his four grandchildren: Justice, Jared, Joshua and Lilyana.

The Goodwin family will be having a celebration of life for Alan on Saturday March 23rd, 2024 at the Cremation Society of Minnesota at 7110 France Avenue South, Edina, MN 55435 with visitation from 1:00pm-2:00pm and the service from 2:00pm-3:00pm.