Dr. M. Lee Goddard of Bowling Green passed away on Thursday March 26, 2026 at the age of 91. He was born in rural Greenbrier County, West Virginia on June 25, 1934, the only son of C. R. and Margaret E. Goddard. In 1959 he was awarded a Rotary Foundation Fellowship for advanced graduate study at the University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia. In 1962 he was awarded a doctorate in business from Indiana University and accepted a position as Assistant Professor of Business at Bowling Green State University. He was later promoted to Associate Professor and Professor and spent his entire career of 33 years at the University. Upon retirement he was granted Professor Emeritus status.
Dr. Goddard had many interests and hobbies, but his main concern was teaching and working with students. In addition to teaching subject matter, he was always emphasizing the importance of promptness, dependability, reliability, honesty and ethical behavior. He believed the best way to teach these traits was through demonstrating them in all your dealings with students.
During his time at the University, he authored more than thirty publications and was a frequent speaker at regional and national conferences and conventions. For over twenty-five years he worked part time for the Association of Independent Colleges and Schools in Washington, D.C. and was a board member for six years for their accreditation commission. In 1982 he was named Business Educator of the year by the 1600 member Ohio Business Teachers Association.
From an early age Dr. Goddard loved to make things from wood. He assisted family members in building their homes and later built his own homes. He developed an interest in antiques in his twenties and that remained his hobby throughout his life.
Lee said, “I was lucky to have wonderful, supportive parents, educational opportunities beyond imagination, an introduction to the Christian faith by the Presbyterian Church and a successful career with congenial colleagues and ambitious students. I was fortunate to have been accompanied daily over forty years by four clever furry creatures who challenged or ignored my every command. And most important of all, I found a beautiful, intelligent and congenial wife in 1978 from Fort Worth (a former graduate student) to be my life partner.”
Dr. Goddard was a forty-year member of the Bowling Green Rotary Club and a long-time member and elder of the Historic First Presbyterian Church, Maumee, Ohio.
Dr. Goddard is survived by his loving wife Woodie, niece Judy Simon (Don, deceased) and nephew Dennis Henson (Marlene). He was predeceased by his parents, sister June Henson and her husband Acie Henson.
Services will be private.
Memorial donations may be made to First Presbyterian Church of Maumee, or to the Rotary International M. Lee Goddard Scholarship, Lewisburg, WV 24901.
Arrangements for Lee have been entrusted to Dunn Funeral Home located in the Historical District of Bowling Green, Ohio at 408 W. Wooster St. To share an online condolence or fond memory with the family please visit www.dunnfuneralhome.com.
