Herb Goodman

Someone once described Herb as having a fire in his belly. From the moment he was born - to Bessie and Meyer Goodman on the 11th of March 1923, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania - he lived his life to the fullest. As children of the Great Depression, he and his sister Cecile forged identities that—although different in many ways—had many similarities. They were both tough as nails, with an abiding love for their country, a deep sense of justice and an unshakeable zest for life.

When World War II swept the globe, Herb joined the U.S. Army. He was part of the regiment that freed the Buchenwald concentration camp, and he was awarded a bronze star for his service. Immediately after the war, he lived in France, helping to find and thank Allied spies who had risked their lives to save those persecuted by the Nazis. For the rest of his life, he would call upon the leadership skills he developed in combat.

Herb’s experiences in Europe opened his eyes to life beyond Pittsburgh and sparked a lifelong drive to be a true citizen of the world. When he returned to the United States, he pursued an MBA at Harvard Business School. He started his civilian career in the Foreign Service, serving in Copenhagen, Phnom Penh and Saigon. He then embarked on a different path, joining Gulf Oil Corporation’s international division, where he built a team of remarkable oilmen who shared his passion for respecting and understanding the cultures of the countries in which they worked. He and his team spent much of the next three decades developing the nascent oil industries throughout Asia. Along the way, he embraced the people he met, forming friendships that transcended work and lasted a lifetime.

After he left Gulf, Herb remained deeply involved in current events. He was a longtime member of the Council on Foreign Relations and served as an international adviser to Texas A&M, becoming an honorary Aggie. He also was a Class A trustee supporting Alcoholics Anonymous.

A consummate storyteller, Herb leaves behind a tremendous legacy, one as a fearless protector of his family and friends and a deep lover of life. Scotch, Cuban cigars and ultra-spicy food became his trademarks, as did long debates about politics and world events. Throughout his life, Herb often entered rooms filled with strangers and left with new lifelong friends. After he moved to Texas, Herb commonly wore cowboy boots and a big belt buckle, blaring opera from his car with his Great Danes riding shotgun.

Herb found his true love in his devoted wife and life partner of 42 years, Mary Katherine. He is also survived by his five children, Michael, Annekathryn, Nancy, Maryelien and Sara; three sons-in-law, David, Brian and Ryan; one daughter-in-law, Lucy; two grandsons, Owen and Dylan; three nephews - David, Steven and Joey; and two grandnieces - Andrea and Aya.

To honor Herb and his legacy, his family is asking that you consider making a gift to support the Mass General Hospital PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Strep) Program by selecting the donation link below.

We encourage you to take a moment to share memories or words of comfort and condolence by selecting the "Add A Memory" icon below.