Robert Maxwell Goodwin

Robert Maxwell Goodwin, 99, of Benton Harbor, died on March 4, 2015, at Pine Ridge Rehabilitation and Nursing Home, Stevensville, MI.  Cremation has taken place and a celebration of his life will be held on March 14, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. at the Vineland Center, 1155 Vineland Rd in St. Joseph.  He will be interred at Riverview Cemetery, St. Joseph, with his late wife of 58 years, Alice Lucille (Cox) Goodwin, who passed away in 1996.  Those wishing to sign Robert’s Memory Book may do so on-line at starks-menchinger.com.  Memorials may be made to the Salvation Army or the charity of donor’s choice. Robert Goodwin was born on December 19, 1915 in Benton Harbor to Robert and Cleo Goodwin, living most of his life in Benton Harbor.  From 1935 to 1949, he was a Merchant Mariner on ships that carried ore, coal or grain on the Great Lakes, serving as a watchman and also wheelsman.  One year, he sailed with his father, Robert W. Goodwin, who had been a Captain on the ships for more than 45 years.  After leaving the boats, Robert worked at Benton Harbor Engineering, Whirlpool Corporation and then Bendix Corporation, retiring in 1982.  During the summers of 1956 to 1958, he worked at the Benton Harbor Fruit Market with his brother-in-law, Edward Cox, who was the Manager of the Fruit Market for many years.  He loved his family and enjoyed taking them for Sunday drives, always stopping for an ice cream cone along the way.  Grilling hamburgers was his specialty, whether it was at home or picnics at the beach.  As a novice barber, he cut his five sons’ hair and grandsons’ hair, which usually looked professional.  He had a nice singing voice and he taught himself to play the harmonica.  With a dry sense of humor, he always came up with something funny to the enjoyment of everyone around him.  Children from his neighborhood were treated many times to his home-made chocolate chip cookies and he also gave them candy.  He was a former member of the First Congregational Church in Benton Harbor and the Pilgrim Congregational Church in Lincoln Township. His family has so many more happy memories to keep with them always and he will be missed a great deal. Survivors include Robert D. Goodwin, of Palmetto, FL, Elizabeth A. (Franklin) Harter, of Punta Gorda, FL, John F. (Sheri Thelander) Goodwin of Bath, MI, Gregory C. (Merilea) Goodwin, of Powell, TN, Richard E. (Elaine) Goodwin of Knoxville, TN, and William T. Goodwin of St. Joseph, MI; sister-in-law, Margaret Goodwin, 13 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.  Robert was preceded in death by his wife, Alice Lucille Cox Goodwin, parents, Robert and Cleo Goodwin and his brother, Ronald Goodwin.