Charles H. Goodman

Charles “Corky” Goodman, beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, trailblazing industrialist, devoted philanthropist, avid skier, golfer and tennis player passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family. Corky was the Vice Chairman Emeritus at Henry Crown and Company. During his career, he served on the board of directors of General Dynamics, Altell, Tishman Speyer and numerous businesses associated with Henry Crown and Company.

Corky was born in Chicago in 1933 to Mollie and David Goodman, an attorney and nut merchant. Corky was a brilliant New Trier High School student excelling in science and math and competed on the swimming and golf teams. His college years at MIT involved a combination of rigorous study in physics buffered by elaborate pranks executed by Corky and some classmates. These pranks were often at the expense of rival schools, including Harvard, and made Corky and his friends school legends.

In high school, Corky met Suzanne Rose Crown (1933-2002) while both were vacationing in Florida. Their competitive spirits bonded them and they began dating and eventually became engaged during college. They married when Corky graduated MIT and they settled in Chicago. Sue, Corky’s first love, was the daughter of Rose and Irving Crown. Irving and his brother Henry, impressed by Corky’s intelligence and work ethic, asked him to work for the family business. Among Corky’s significant accomplishments while leading HCC with Lester Crown, was spearheading the acquisition of Rockefeller Center in 2000.

During their 48 years of marriage, Corky and Sue were happiest with their children and grandchildren. They loved skiing as a family, traveling the world together and encouraging and supporting their children’s interests and passions.

Corky devoted much of his time and energy to philanthropy, with a focus on the City of Chicago, Jewish causes, and Israel. Beginning in the 1970s, Corky took an active role in the development of Israeli cultural institutions and research facilities, and even participated in the development of the city of Jerusalem. In the 1990’s Corky worked with the Jewish Agency to help Jews from the former Soviet Union and Ethiopia immigrate to Israel. Over the next ten years, Corky was instrumental in structuring elements of Operation Exodus, helping over a million Eastern European and over 14,000 Ethiopian Jews relocate to Israel. Corky received numerous awards for his tireless work on Operation Exodus, including an honorary doctorate from Hebrew University in 1996.

Corky also served as Chair of the Jewish Agency for Israel-North American Council, as a member of the Board of Directors of American Friends of the Hebrew University and Brandeis University, and as Treasurer and then President of the Jewish Federation. In 2015, the Suzanne and Charles Goodman Center for Brain Sciences at Hebrew University was dedicated to Sue and Corky.

A humble man, Corky downplayed his contributions and efforts, instead highlighting the organizations that he believed were at the root of the good work being done. When asked about his time as Honorary Chairman of Hebrew University in Jerusalem, he replied, “I must say, I got a lot more out of being Chairman than I gave.”

In the wake of Sue's passing, Corky's heart found love once more with Margie Korshak. They developed a beautiful partnership that spanned over two decades. Together, Corky and Margie shared a love of travel, theater, opera, art, a good steak and never skipped dessert.

The purpose with which Corky lived and led his life has left an indelible impression on those lucky enough to have known him. His quiet but strong leadership, work ethic and dedication to causes he believed in has inspired his children and grandchildren to strive to help others as he did.

Corky is remembered and celebrated by his wife Marjorie Korshak; his children, Richard (Kitz) Goodman, Barbara Manilow, and Leonard Goodman; daughter-in-law, Ruth (Michael) Blum; grandchildren, Daniel (Carrie), Jordan (Danielle), Lily, and Samantha Goodman, Aaron, Jack, and Maya Manilow; great-grandchildren, Bennett, Oliver, Zev, and Adina Goodman, Anna and Jacob Wachendorf; his brothers, James (Ann) and Michael (Judy) Goodman; step-children, Steven (Michelle), and Susan Chernoff.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hebrew University, www.afhu.org/goodmanmemory, and the Jewish United Fund, https://donatenow.juf.org/GoodmanIEF. For service details contact Weinstein & Piser Funeral Home, 847.256.5700, www.dignitymemorial.com.