Obituary: George J. Goodstadt

Belatedly I came across this obituary to George J. Goodstadt who died 16 February 2002. In addition to the wonderful life which I have annotated below, his fine art online (http://www.georgejgoodstadt.com/) was for many years the leading ‘Goodstadt’ search result on the internet. As such he reached out to those like myself who never met him and was one of the catalysts for my interest in knowing more about our shared surname. When one day a Goodstadt visits the ‘Fallen Astronaut’ may they look back on our planet and think of George, may he rest in peace.

The Ridgefield Press, 2002

George Goodstadt, publisher of fine arts

George J. Goodstadt, a 16-year resident of Ridgefield, died peacefully in his sleep at home on Feb. 16, surrounded by his family. He was the husband of Afanasjev Goodstadt.

Mr. Goodstadt was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., a son of Max and Pauline Suskin Goodstadt. He grew up in New York City, completed high school a month after his 16th birthday, was educated at St. John’s University, did graduate work at Columbia and studied two years at The Arts Student’s League. He served in the Air Force as aviation cadet and was recalled to active duty in the USAF during the Korean War. He loved this great country and was a true patriot.

Mr. Goodstadt went on to an illustrious career of government service and worked for various information and intelligence agencies, including The Office of War Information, The Voice of America, The U.S. Information Agency and The Goddard Institute of Space Studies (Theoretical Physics Division of NASA).

For the government, he traveled extensively to gather information and to open trade with such countries as Bulgaria, Egypt and The People’s Republic of China. In the early 70’s (after Nixon’s entry into China) Mr. Goodstadt started his many trips to China to increase awareness of trade. He brought back exciting and diverse art, including the Peasant Paintings from The Huhsien Province, never before seen outside China. One of these is now hanging in The Smithsonian in Washington.

Fallen Astronaut

While at NASA for 12 years, Mr. Goodstadt worked on the Apollo lunar missions. He was also instrumental in putting a small sculpture, “Fallen Astronaut” by Paul von Hoeydunck, on the moon as part of a memorial tribute to the astronauts and cosmonauts who died in the exploration of space. After man put his footprint on the moon, he felt satisfied with his contribution and left NASA. He shared his adventures and memorabilia with enthusiastic students and teachers alike at Veterans Park Elementary School and East Ridge School, where his daughter attended.

Mr. Goodstadt founded The Bank Street Atelier in New York City, a fine arts lithographic company, where he printed, published and distributed etchings and lithographs by Alexander Calder, Willem de Kooning, Roy Lichtenstein and many other fine artists. He later founded George J. Goodstadt Inc. in the same vein and represented many well-known artists, including the above and also LeRoy Nieman and Al Hirschfeld, and The Musee D’Albi to reissue the posters of Toulouse-Lautrec.

When in the mid 80’s he moved from New York City to Ridgefield with his wife Alexandra, he started The State Street Gallery in Westport, but a few years later opened The Antique Poster Collection Gallery here in Ridgefield, where he kept his vast collection, including the wonderful works of Al Hirschfeld, the legendary caricaturist of the theater. It gave him great pleasure when during the years many young people came to work for him at the gallery and he could share his expertise with them, teaching them about running a small business.

He joined the Rotary Club and found lasting friendships with his fellow Rotarians and worked tirelessly to achieve the organization’s high goals. He was honored with the “Paul Harris” Award, of which he was very proud.

He called Ridgefield “his town” and always marveled at its beauty. He found many valuable friends here and there was always someone to palaver with wherever he went.

He participated on many boards, including Chambers of Commerce, The Ridgefield Symphony, Diversity Day, The Ridgefield Playhouse and A Better Chance of Ridgefield, to name a few. He also gave art generously to these organizations for their fund-raisers.

“The pride he felt for his two daughters, he shared with all! Love for his family was always on top of his daily list and he delighted in all of every day’s small wonders. The recent addition of twin grandchildren delighted him to no end,” said his wife.

“His accomplishments were many and varied, but he will undoubtedly be remembered for his human qualities of gentleness, kindness and his never-ending concern for others.”

Besides his wife of 21 years, Mr. Goodstadt is survived by two daughters, Elizabeth Oelkers and her husband Brent, of St. Francis, Minn., and Kristina Goodstadt of Ridgefield; a brother Leonard Goodstadt and his wife Yvette of Delray, Florida; two grandchildren, Willa and Wyatt Oelkers; and his nephew Mark Goodstadt and niece Lauren Shapiro.

Contributions in Mr. Goodstadt’s name may be made to The Danbury Hospital Development Fund.
The Kane Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

http://acorn-online.net/acornonline/obits/goodstadt.htm

The New York Times, 18 February 2002:

GOODSTADT-George Justice. On February 16. Publisher of Fine Arts. Passed away peacefully at home in Ridgefield, CT, surrounded by his family. Survived by his wife, Alexandra of Ridgefield, daughters, Elizabeth Oelkers of St. Francis, MN, and Kristina of Ridgefield, a brother, Leonard of Delray Beach, FL, and grandchildren, Willa and Wyatt. Visitation at the Kane Funeral Home, 41 Catoonah Street, Ridgefield, CT on Wednesday from 5PM-8PM.

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C07E2D81E3FF93BA25751C0A9649C8B63