Named in his honor, Drexel University's Goodwin College of Professional Studies is sincerely thankful to Richard C. Goodwin, whose generosity resulted in the renovation of the College's facilities to include state-of-the-art computer labs, as well as labs in support of the Engineering Technology program. This generous gift enabled Goodwin College to continue to provide practical education in several areas of technology, applied management and liberal studies to all students.

About Richard C. Goodwin

Born in Philadelphia in 1928, Dr. Richard C. Goodwin credited his father, Harry, for teaching him the values of self-discipline and a solid education. As a builder and philanthropist, he strived to construct a better world, using the values he inherited from his father, along with his compassion and businessman's knowledge.

With Harry in the Navy, Richard was raised in a household on the move. He attended nine different junior and senior high schools. Confronted with anti-Semitism during World War II, Harry changed the family name from Goodstein to Goodwin when Richard and his brothers were still young. While Richard said he was never taught about charity, he learned by example as his family struggled to make ends meet.

Richard worked his way through college, entering Drexel University in 1946 where he studied commerce and engineering in a program that integrated the business school with the engineering program. He was one of only three students to graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Commerce and Engineering in 1948. He received an honorary doctoral degree from the University in 2004 recognizing his many professional and philanthropic accomplishments.

In 1950, Richard applied his education to running a newly formed family business, Goodwin Enterprises, with his father and his brother Buddy. During its first decade, the company constructed single-family homes in Cherry Hill, N.J., and in the early 1960s, they expanded into land development, sewer and water companies, and neighborhood shopping centers. In the 1970s, the company expanded into eastern Pennsylvania and built 600 HUD townhouses and 400 conventional apartments.

Richard's career was highlighted by the construction of more than 5,000 residential units, including Kingston Estates in Cherry Hill; Sherwood Village in Easthampton Township; Haddon Hill Estates in Haddon Township; Whitman Square and Wedgwood in Washington Township; and Ramblewood in Mount Laurel. He also developed more than 15,000 lots in southern New Jersey and eastern Pennsylvania.

Additionally, Goodwin was chairman and founder of the Goodwin Foundation, supporting more than 100 organizations and institutions throughout the U.S.

Richard died on June 24, 2022, at the age of 94, survived by his wife, Susan Nitsch; his children Joanna, John and Robert Goodwin; his grandchildren and great-granddaughters.