January 22, 1939 – March 3, 2026
Daniel Webster Goodenough died March 3, 2026, in Two Harbors at age 87. Dan was born in Detroit, Michigan on Jan. 22, 1939, to Daniel and Margaret Goodenough. Dan received a BA from Princeton University, a M. Div. from Bryn Athyn College Theological School, and a STM (Master of Sacred Theology) from Lutheran Theological Seminary.
From age 16, Dan studied the writings of Emanuel Swedenborg, an 18th century scientist, Christian theologian, and spiritual explorer, and dedicated his professional and personal life to Swedenborg’s teachings and the church founded on them. He believed that Swedenborg’s writings heralded a new way of understanding how Jesus Christ is one God, and that true religion is lived.
Dan married Ruth Parker from Toronto, Ontario in 1963. Though ordained as a minister, Dan spent most of his career teaching history and religion at the Academy of the New Church in Bryn Athyn, Pennsylvania. He and Ruth raised five children in a home open to visitors, friends, boarders, and others. He loved to play guitar and sing. He also loved sailing and outdoor adventure. For eighteen years he led month-long backpacking trips in the Rocky mountains with college students and his own children. Many backpackers became colleagues and friends; a few were close friends to the end of his life.
In 1989, on one of these trips, Dan and Ruth’s 18 year-old son Danny died in a climbing accident. Dan’s belief that “children are the heritage of the Lord” comforted him and many others while the family and community mourned.
For 10 years ending in 2002, Dan served as President of the Academy, championing the spiritual teachings brought to life both in and out of the classroom.
Dan retired in 2002. He and Ruth moved to Big Horn, Wyoming. Dan served on the Big Horn Reservoir Water Rights Board, joined the Lions’ Club, taught comparative religions at the Crow Rez College, square danced with Ruth, and rode horseback in the foothills of the Bighorn mountains.
In 2014, Dan and Ruth moved to Two Harbors, Minnesota. He replaced the cowboy boots and Stetson with a wide array of ball caps which he wore to soccer games and cross country meets, and wool caps for ski meets and the Beargrease sled dog marathon.
After Ruth passed in July, 2025, Dan’s life continued quietly at home, with only slightly diminished energy. Playing with the local gospel jam group was his most steadfast source of joy. After experiencing a heart attack in the fall, he considered his own end to be near, but never stopped raking leaves or shoveling snow, believing that the Lord would allow him to go when his greatest usefulness was no longer on this earth. He died of heart failure while chopping wood – “with his boots on,” as he always wanted.
Dan is preceded in death by his wife Ruth, son Danny, and parents. He is survived by sisters Liz and Pixie and four daughters Mary Goodenough of Sebastopol, CA (d. Ravi Garimella), Vera Dyck of Guelph, ON (m. Steve), Katya Gordon of Two Harbors, MN (m. Mark), and Lamar Goodenough of Bryn Athyn, PA (s. Barrett Smith), grandchildren Maya and Raj Garimella, Nathan and Amber Dyck, Cedar and Lamar Gordon, and Wyatt and Calvin Smith.
A service and sing-along will be held at United Church of Two Harbors on Saturday, March 21, at 4:00 p.m., with a reception afterwards downstairs. The service will be livestreamed and the link available afterwards on the church’s facebook page and youtube channel.
For the full obituary, visit www.cavallinfuneralhome.com.
