Richard Goodman

Richard “Rich” Goodman, age 77, of State Center, Iowa, passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at Iowa River Hospice, surrounded by his loving family, after courageously battling a rare and aggressive form of cancer.

Memorial services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, at Mitchell Family Funeral Home. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family for a later designation. For additional information or to leave a condolence for the family, please visit www.mitchellfh.com or call 641-844-1234.

Richard Delos Goodman was born on October 30, 1948, in State Center. He was the fourth of six children born to Delos and MaDonna (Wiggins) Goodman. Rich grew up in State Center and graduated from West Marshall High School in 1966. He briefly attended Marquette University before volunteering for the draft during the Vietnam War. Rich proudly served his country in the United States Army with the 82nd Airborne Division and the 101st Airborne Division, earning the rank of Spec 4 before his honorable discharge in 1969.

On June 24, 1977, Rich was united in marriage to Connie Tomlinson at Heartland Friends Church. They made their home in State Center, where they raised their two daughters, Laura and Sara. Rich worked alongside his family at Goodman Milling, Inc. for many years and later worked at Lennox Industries where he remained until his retirement in 2010.

Rich was a long-time member of Lincoln Valley Golf Course and spent many afternoons on the course during retirement.

In his free time, he took great pride in gardening and caring for his lawn, planting colorful cannas and tulips and growing tomatoes that he enjoyed sharing with family and friends. Rich had a special love for his animals and was known for taking his dogs along on evening drives in his Mustang.

Rich also loved being in the kitchen and was known to be an excellent cook, often preparing special entrées for holiday meals and family gatherings.

Rich was a loyal fan of the Iowa State Cyclones and held season tickets for many years. Rich and his family also looked forward to their annual summer vacations to Colorado, a tradition that created many cherished memories over the years.

During retirement, Rich and Connie continued traveling together, visiting 18 national parks and mostly exploring west of the Mississippi River.

Those left to cherish his memory include his loving wife of 48 years, Connie Goodman; his daughters, Laura and Sara (Shaun Lomas); his adored granddaughters, Keiland Singleton and Seneca Lomas; his siblings, Donald Goodman, Jon Goodman, Madelyn Hawkins, Denise (Duane) Determan, and Sheila (Gary) Gray; his sister-in-law, Linda (Bob) Casey; as well as many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Delos and MaDonna Goodman; his father- and mother-in-law, Russell and Mildred Tomlinson; sisters-in-law, Constance Goodman, Judy Goodman, Karen Johnson, Sue Tomlinson, and Dorthy Billman; brothers-in-law, Bob Hawkins and Bill Tomlinson Sr.; nephews Thomas Goodman and Craig Johnson; and niece Mary Buggs.

Rich will be laid to rest at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery where he will receive military honors.

The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to Iowa River Hospice for the compassionate care provided to Rich and his family.