Michael Kemper Goodwin (1939-2011)

Michael Kemper Goodwin's historical and architectural roots ran deep; his grandparents were Tempe pioneers, and he and his father, Kemper Goodwin, designed local schools and Tempe's City Hall. Michael Goodwin died on May 4 at the age of 72.The architect and beloved local artist studied at the University of Southern...

By Claire Lawton

May 9, 2011

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Michael Kemper Goodwin's historical and architectural roots ran deep; his grandparents were Tempe pioneers, and he and his father, Kemper Goodwin, designed local schools and Tempe's City Hall.

Michael Goodwin died on May 4 at the age of 72.

The architect and beloved local artist studied at the University of Southern California and in Paris. He was a member of Scottsdale Artists School and a juried member of the Pastel Society of America. In the 70s, he served in the Arizona House of Representatives, and was inducted into the American Institute of Architects in 1978.

In addition to his large-scale architecture work, Goodwin was known for his cowboy art, and showcased his (comparatively) small-scale watercolors and sculpture in local galleries including Downtown's five15 during Art Detour in 2007.

He was also heavily involved with Detour Company Theatre, a theater company for adults with special needs, which was run largely by his wife, Sam (who was featured for her work in last year's New Times Hero Worship).

Services for Goodwin will be held at the The Church of the Transfiguration, 514 South Mountain Road in Mesa, tomorrow at 6 p.m.. His family asks that in lieu of flowers and gifts, contributions be made to the Kemper Goodwin Foundation, 2625 E. Southern Ave. C65 in Tempe or to Detour Company Theatre.

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