Walter Davis Goodrich ’48

Walt died Aug. 22, 2003, of congestive heart failure. He was 82.

He was born in Dendron, Va., near where his ancestors landed in 1627. He grew up in DC and graduated from Central High School. He joined the Navy in 1942 and fought in five major battles in the South Pacific.

Walt joined us in 1946 in the V-12 program. He was active on the football and baseball teams, especially known for his speed of foot. He married his high school sweetheart, Margaret "Peggy" Martin in 1947. Their best man was the irrepressible Hal Rogers. Walt, Hal, Jim Pitney, Bob Meyer, and John Pell joined WWII companions Tom Finical '47 and Gerry Sheridan '47 for occasional reunions of miscreants from the 1945 era.

Walt's professional career was with C&P Telephone in DC, where he ultimately became director of government communications, directly involved with the White House from Eisenhower through Carter.

Peggy and Walt suffered tragedy in March 1972 when their daughter-in-law and 4-year-old grandson were killed in an automobile crash.

In addition to Peggy, Walt is survived by his daughter, Dianne Boatwright, son Walter Jr., and three grandchildren.

The Class of 1948