Herbert F. Goodrich Jr.


Herb died suddenly at home near Philadelphia on March 16, 2007, near his birthplace. His was a life of accomplishment and helping others. Participation in Football, Crew, Sigma Alpha Epsilon and Dragon didn't prevent him from earning his BA in Philosophy followed by an LLB from Harvard Law School, both with honors. After Harvard he joined the Dechert Law firm in Philadelphia where he soon became a Partner and was a longtime member of senior management. Herb spent the mid '70's building the Dechert office in Brussels, his only extended absence from Philadelphia. During his senior year in Hanover much time was spent on the road to Northampton where Ginger Page was attending Smith College. They married and raised two wonderful sons, Matthew and Steven and a daughter, Cindy now with families of their own. Among Herb's community activities was service as board chair of Chestnut Hill Healthcare, the hospital where he was born. His "kind, loyal and steady" demeanor made him a perfect mentor of young lawyers and counselor at St. Thomas Church-Whitemarsh. He took his pleasure from an occasional round of golf, kayaking in the waters of northern lake Michigan, but mostly form the loving family around him. He was especially enamored of his two new grandsons.


From the March 20, 2007 issue of the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Herbert F. ("Pete") Goodrich Jr., 64, of Wyndmoor, a lawyer and community activist, died Friday , March 16, 2007, at Chestnut Hill Hospital of a heart attack.

Mr. Goodrich graduated from Chestnut Hill Academy and earned a bachelor's degree from Dartmouth College. He was a brother in Sigma Alpha Epsilon. After earning a law degree from Harvard University, he joined the Dechert law firm in Philadelphia.

From 1974 to 1978, he was in Dechert's office in Brussels, Belgium. He later chaired the firm's corporate department and served on its policy committee. In 2005 he received an award from the Philadelphia Bar Association for his contributions to the business community, to civic causes, and for mentoring young lawyers. He was "kind, loyal and steady," his daughter, Cindy, said.

Mr. Goodrich chaired the board of Chestnut Hill Healthcare and was involved in the 2004 centennial celebration of Chestnut Hill Hospital, where he was born.

In addition to his daughter, Mr. Goodrich is survived by his wife of 40 years, Virginia Page Goodrich; sons Matthew and Steven; a sister and a brother; and two grandsons.