Dr. Ronald A Goodison

Dr. Ronald Alan Cameron Goodison, 90, of Frederick County, Virginia died peacefully on Thursday, June 21, 2012 at his home.

Dr. Goodison was born in 1921 a native of Alberta, Canada and a graduate of the University of Alberta in 1942. He earned an advanced degree in Linguistics’ at Cornell University in 1951. Dr. Goodison became a citizen of the United States in 1966.

After earning a Bachelor of Arts Degree he entered Officers Candidate School and served as an officer in the Canadian Army. In 1945, after Japanese language school, he was sent to Japan and served as a Canadian in the American Army. After his service, he continued

his advanced education acquiring a PhD at Cornell University.

Dr. Goodson spent the next ten years in Saudi Arabia with the Aramco Oil Company, serving in their language program. In 1962 he began work at the United States Department of State in the language school as a Linguist Chairman and later as the Associate Dean, retiring in 1987. He spent the next 10 years working as a volunteer at the Smithsonian translating Russian and writing for the Smithsonian.

His first wife, Pauline Meserve Goodison, whom he married in 1956, preceded him in death in 1983.

He married Claudie Coates in 2000.

Surviving is his wife, daughter, Mary Woodall and husband, David, son, Ronald Goodison and wife, Rebecca, and three grandchildren, Adam and Kelly Goodison and Alexis Mills.

For those who got to know him, they acquired a friend with a quiet wit, a smooth sense of humor and keen mind. He will be truly missed by family and friends.

A memorial service will be held in October 13, 2012 at the family’s residence.

Memorial contributions may be made to Blue Ridge Hospice, 333 West Cork Street, Suite 405, Winchester, Virginia 22601.

Please view obituaries and tribute wall at www.ompsfuneralhome.com.