John Jeffrey Goodwin ’71 *73

After a long battle with lung cancer, Jeff died Jan. 9, 2026.  

He grew up in Oak Ridge, Tenn., where he became fiercely committed to social justice after witnessing the abuses of the segregated South. After his dad’s work took the family to Europe, Jeff graduated from Ecolint International School in Geneva before Princeton. He belonged to Wilson College and majored in SPIA (focusing on urban affairs) for his undergrad and master’s degrees. He also participated in the student chapter of the ACLU as president. 

He worked at the New York City Bureau of the Budget during budget crises under Mayors Lindsay, Beame, and Koch, developing a process that became the most successful payment processing system of its time, saving $300 million in one year.  

Jeff was an executive at New York City Health and Hospitals until he joined the private sector at what became Ernst & Young. He was awarded a partnership in 1984 for his pioneering work in information systems practice. He would ultimately start InSys Technology, an IT systems consultancy. His hobbies were photography, raising Labradors, and gardening. 

Jeff married Kimberlee Larson in 1972. After living in Brooklyn, they moved to Bucks County in 1984 and divorced in 1989. Jeff and Kim had two children, Jessica (1973) and John (1982) and four grandchildren. The class extends its condolences to his family and friends.