UCLA Anderson School of Management Professor Richard Alan
Goodman, described as a gentle man who brought energy and
innovation to his endeavors, died of cancer Jan. 22. He was 65.
Goodman made many contributions to UCLA Anderson School during
his 37 years as a professor and cared deeply about the UCLA
community, said Elwin Svenson, director of international programs
at UCLA Anderson School and a longtime colleague and friend of
Goodman.
He participated in a number of university committees, and at the
time of his death, he was serving as chair of the Universitywide
Council on Planning and Budget.
He helped shape the fully employed MBA program at UCLA Anderson
School. He also helped found the Global Access Program, an
international field study program sending MBA students to select
businesses around the world for a six-month period. He served as a
faculty supervisor for participating students.
He was an author who recently co-wrote a book with former
students.
Goodman also was active in the business world, and Svenson said
Goodman’s business and academic associates from countries
around the world sent condolences upon hearing of the
professor’s death.
Goodman studied electrical engineering at the California
Institute of Technology and Antioch University. He obtained a
master’s degree at the Massachusetts Institute of
Technology’s Sloan School of Management and a doctorate from
Washington University.
Goodman remained active in his UCLA roles until his death,
scheduling a surgery in September 2003 around his commitments as
GAP advisor.
Svenson, who said Goodman cared greatly for his students,
recalled his last memory of Goodman.
Svenson, Goodman and a graduate of UCLA Anderson School had
shared ideas about developing a potential program in Asia during
the months preceding Goodman’s death, and the trio met for
the last time at Goodman’s deathbed, Svenson said.
Goodman, who had been unable to talk for more than a week,
initially only could manage a “hello,” Svenson
said.
When Svenson and the student started talking about what they
were working on, Goodman listened until he “couldn’t
stand it any longer” and contributed two or three sentences.
Goodman was then unable to speak again, Svenson said.
The two others in the group resumed their conversation and every
so often, Goodman would chime in with a few sentences, Svenson
said.
Goodman is survived by his wife, Ann Pollack, a UCLA assistant
vice chancellor, and two daughters, one son, two stepsons and his
grandchildren.