Philo W. "Bud" Goodrich

Philo Woodruff “Bud” Goodrich passed on September 5, 2024 at his home at Primrose Retirement Community in Mount Pleasant, WI.

Bud was born in Pine City, Minnesota on November 8th, 1930 and lived his younger years there and in Durand Wisconsin. He began his college career at Ripon College before joining the U.S. Airforce earning the rank of buck sergeant. While stationed in Kansas City he finished his undergraduate studies at Park College.

At Park College Bud met Patricia Ann “Pat” Axon. The two wed in October, 1954 and parented three sons. Bud and Pat moved to Menomonie, WI where Bud worked in the family furniture/mortuary business.

In 1958 Bud and his father purchased the Robock furniture store in Berlin, expanding the Goodrich Furniture brand to East-Central Wisconsin. Bud was a successful business man and investor. Active in civic life, Bud gave freely of his time serving as Cub Scout pack leader, schoolboard member, Rotarian, and board member of a retirement home among many others. He loved conversation, a good book and to play bridge. Bud was a naturalist at heart and was most at home in the outdoors. He enjoyed hiking and canoeing and working in his vegetable garden.

After Pat’s passing friends introduced Bud to Caroline Wozniak. Bud and Carolyn married in 2002 splitting their time between Arizona and Wisconsin before eventually returning to Wisconsin full time. They shared a love of gardening, travel and bridge.

Bud was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife Patricia and sister Barbara Clasen. He is survived by his wife Caroline Wozniak, sons Phillip (Dena Stewart), James (Allen Pearlstein), John (Elizabeth) and grandchildren Benjamin and Hannah, his sister Elizabeth Hipke, and numerous blended family, cousins, nieces and nephews.

The family is planning a private inurnment at Oakwood Cemetery in Berlin, WI. A public celebration of life will take place from 2-4 PM on November 30th at Preservation Hall, 740 Lake Avenue in Racine, WI.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent in Bud’s name to the Nature Conservancy https:ancy//preserve.nature.org or a nature conservation cause of the donor’s choosing or plant a tree in your yard.

A big thank you to the staff and residents at Primrose for their kindness and friendships.