Paul Andrew Goddard

Paul Andrew Goddard, 35, formerly of Montevideo, died August 31, 2018 at his home in Los Angeles. After struggling with depression for many years, he took his own life.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 on Saturday, September 15 at Salem Lutheran Church in Montevideo, with visitation at the church one hour prior to the service.

Paul Andrew Goddard was born July 21, 1983 in Emmetsburg, Iowa, to David and Teresa (Norland) Goddard. He was baptized at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Depew, Iowa, and confirmed at Salem Lutheran Church in Montevideo.

In 1989 the Goddard family moved from their family farm in Iowa to Montevideo. Paul started kindergarten that fall. As a child he was outgoing and inquisitive. During his high school years, Paul was active in football, track, speech, drama, vocal music, and the boys a cappella singing group Mucho Cinco.

He graduated from Montevideo High School in 2002 and attended Luther College in Decorah, Iowa for two years. After serving in the U. S. Marine Corps for four years, Paul graduated from California State University Northridge with a degree in accounting and began his career as an accountant.

On April 23, 2009, Paul and Arielle Lownds were united in marriage, and Paul became a father to Arielle’s daughter, Riley Medina. Together Paul and Arielle had a daughter, Harper Goddard.

Paul was a loving and engaged father and enjoyed spending most of his free time with his girls. Even from a distance he remained an avid football fan of the Minnesota Vikings and especially the Iowa Hawkeyes. Paul will be remembered as a kind, caring person who entertained his family and friends with his quick wit and clever sense of humor.

In addition to his wife and daughters, Paul is survived by his parents, David and Teresa Goddard; sister Nicole (and Mike) Moravec and their children Dylan, Norah, and Carly, of Rochester; brother Adam (and Lane) Goddard and their children Evan, Aida, and Greta, of Lake Elmo; sister Emily (and Paul) Schwarzkopf of Minneapolis; maternal grandmother, Virginia Norland, of Emmetsburg, Iowa; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

Paul was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Glen and Margaret Goddard; maternal grandfather, Gerald Norland; and infant brother, Aaron.