We are celebrating the contributions of Rick Goodemann, a long-time MHP board member and the recently retired 30-year President of Southwest Minnesota Housing Partnership, even while we mourn his untimely death. Rick passed away on Friday, March 1, 2019.
Rick has been a force for affordable housing and rural communities. While Rick is no longer with us, we know that his work will continue to positively impact Minnesotans well into the future, including the 9,000 families that have safe and affordable housing today, created through his efforts and determination at Southwest MHP.
Rick founded Southwest MHP in 1992 and served as CEO until January of 2019. He worked tirelessly to carry out the organization’s mission to “create thriving places to live, grow and work in partnership with communities.” Southwest MHP has positively impacted communities across Southwest Minnesota with projects like Solace Apartments in St. Peter, which provides affordable homes with supportive services for people at high risk of homelessness who have mental health and/or substance abuse challenges.
MHP is grateful for Rick’s fierce advocacy on behalf of rural communities. As an MHP board member, his deep experience and passion for rural communities propelled our work forward. Rick spent hours with MHP staff lobbying for affordable housing investments at the State Capitol, and he provided key insights on pressing issues such as the loss of deeply affordable properties financed by the United States Department of Agriculture.
MHP would not be the organization it is today without Rick’s insight and passion. We’re grateful to count ourselves among the many people, organizations, and communities Rick impacted. We will miss him dearly.
Sincerely,
Anne Mavity
Executive Director
Rick's service to MHP's board
Rick served on MHP's board for five years. During that time, he made a major impact.
"The affordable housing community has a big hole to fill," said MHP board chair Skip Duchesneau, President of D.W. Jones. "Rick's expertise and support of South West Minnesota will not be easily replaced."
During his years of service, board members relied upon Rick for his insight around rural housing development. "Rick had a capacity for explaining housing needs of Greater Minnesota in a real and very personal way," said former MHP board chair Paul Sween. "Rick contributed greatly to the dialogue of affordable housing."
Rick demonstrated deep commitment to the work. "Rick was an exceptional Board member, and he will be greatly missed by his peers and all past and present MHP board members," Duchesneau added.
Remembering Rick
A Celebration of Life Service for Richard Goodemann will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday March 9, 2019, at the Evangelical Covenant Church in Trimont, Minnesota (#61 Main St. East). Visitation will be from 5:00 -7:00 p.m. Friday, March 8, 2019 at the Kramer Family Funeral Home in Trimont and one hour prior to the services at the Church on Saturday.
