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Photos by Stefan Layes, VG Ramstein-Miesenbach
When Truman Goodwin, known as “Goody,” first arrived in Germany he said it ‘felt like home.’ And, he would come to devote a life-long commitment to Ramstein Air Base and the local community.
Truman Goodwin volunteered for the Ramstein voluntary fire department until 1995 and has become a “true Ramstein native.” He is well-known in the local community as a former U.S. Marine and Airman, who was also stationed at Ramstein Air Base.
Goody joined the U.S. Marine Corps at 19 years old and after six years transferred to the U.S. Air Force as a truck driver.
He first came to Ramstein in 1961 as an Airman and said that the countryside and the weather felt just like his home in Massachusetts. It didn’t take long for a Ramsteiner woman to catch his eye and he met his wife Waltraud. The couple married in 1964, which further devoted him to the area.
They have been married for 61 years this year and have three sons. His first impression arriving in Ramstein was how huge the base was and how laid back Ramstein village was, Goody recalls. Goody’s career brought him and his family to California, NATO Headquarters in Brunssum, Netherlands, and again to Ramstein Air Base.
He retired from active duty in 1976 when he and his wife decided to settle in Ramstein and raise their sons. Their eldest son John was able to inspire his father to become a firefighter, and Goody became a member of the Ramstein-Miesenbach Volunteer Fire Department family for many years, both actively and passively.
As a retiree he worked full-time for AAFES in different positions as a gas station attendant, sales associate and a supervisor. Then after retiring from AAFES, he continued working as intermittent warehouse worker and also deployed with AAFES two times to Kuwait and Iraq.
Goody’s commitment didn’t end with employment and he volunteered with the Marines at Landstuhl Hospital, which he said he ‘enjoyed tremendously.’ He can say that Ramstein is his home and he considers himself a Ramsteiner.
Goody continues to play a role in the Ramstein and base community and has advice for Airmen who are stationed here today.
“Get to know Germany, its people and culture,” he said. “Visit the local fests and join their organizations. Most of the Germans speak English, but they also appreciate when you learn a little German too.”
The families of his sons, John and Jeffrey, came to visit from the United States to join him on his special ninetieth birthday celebration in September. He was especially pleased that some Marine veterans were also able to attend the anniversary.
Mayor Ralf Hechler of Ramstein-Miesenbach also extended his warm congratulations and presented a gift basket. He wished Truman Goodwin all the best for the future and, above all, good health. Dr. Walther Altherr, representing the Kaiserslautern district, joined in with these congratulations.
