Rufus Goodwin

70, poet and journalist died July 10 in his home. He leaves his wife, Irmgard Hoelle Schofield, his mother, Anne Stockton of England, a son, Daniel Goodwin of Switzerland, a daughter, Sandra Goodwin of New Mexico, a brother Manning Goodwin of England, two sisters, Jay Pots of New York City, and Faith Pepe of Vermont, and 12 grandchildren. Born in New York City, son of Sage Goodwin, of the Hartford Goodwins, and his mother of the Stockton family of New York, he graduated from Yale University and received an advanced degree in Linguistics from Georgetown University. He was a veteran of the Korean War. Rufus served as a foreign correspondent with United Press International in the 1960s. He was assigned to the Vatican while working for UPI and covered Pope Paul VI's first papal trip to the Holy Land in 1964. Later he was a freelance writer in Switzerland and England before returning to the United States in the 1980s. He published poetry, novels, non-fiction, opera, and plays; some 41 titles in all. James Tate, John Updike, and Mark Strand noted his poetry. His work in religion led to the books, The Story of Prayer and Who Killed the Holy Ghost. Other works include, Mr. President, a prestige bestseller in Germany, and Valentine for a Waitress, which appeared on stage in England. He collaborated with composer and performer Stephen Scotti for Blue Vagabond, Poets Opera and other works that were performed in New York, Boston, and Martha's Vineyard. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hospice of the North Shore, 10 Elm St., Danvers, MA. 01923. Caswell King Funeral Home, 474 Grove St., WORCESTER, MA, is directing arrangements which are private.