Chet S. Goodwin

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Chet S. Goodwin, 61, who passed away peacefully on November 11, 2024, after suffering a cardiac arrest due to a heart arrhythmia. He was surrounded by his children, family, and close friends, and his final act of generosity was to give the gift of life as an organ and tissue donor. 

Chet was born November 20, 1962, in Salt Lake City, Utah, the second of four boys of Lorel and Marilyn Goodwin. He grew up in Bountiful and graduated from Viewmont High in 1981. He excelled in baseball, football, and hockey at Viewmont, and the friendships he formed playing sports during this time remained some of his strongest relationships throughout his life.

After graduating high school, Chet served an LDS mission in the Philadelphia, PA mission from 1981-1983. He loved his time on his mission. He served with some great people and talked often of his experiences. He got to run “The Rocky Steps” and met Smokin’ Joe Frazier while serving his mission. Upon returning, he attended the University of Utah and Weber State and graduated in 1988 with a BS in Accounting. He continued his education and graduated from Weber State in 1989 with a Masters in Accountancy with an emphasis in Taxation. After graduation, Chet worked for Price Waterhouse from 1989-1999 in Salt Lake City and New York City as a Senior Tax Manager. In 2000, he teamed with a longtime friend to start their own CPA firm, Daines Goodwin & Co., where he worked for the next 18 years. After selling the firm in 2017, Chet joined RLL, serving as CFO and President of the company. 

Chet was an expert in his field. He served as the Treasurer of the Alta Club and on the board of Utah Presents. He was active in consulting and advising, and he loved helping other business owners. Over his life, Chet invested in many small local businesses. He was a long-time Utah football season ticket holder and a member of The Country Club and Oakridge Country Club.

He was a well-known and respected businessman, but his greatest joy was his children. He loved his kids, he beamed when talking about them, and he loved being with them and supporting them at school and their activities. But mostly, he loved all the little things and moments he had with his kids: fishing, tennis, golf, skiing, football games, baseball games, beach trips, motorcycle rides, boogie boarding in Carlsbad, Red Butte Garden concerts, walking his dog Bowie, family trips together, and hosting family and friend gatherings. 

He always gave his kids the best he could and was teased for being “extra.” He was the king of nicknames – he had a nickname for almost everybody, and his friends and family had many nicknames for him. He took great pride in making his yard look nice, had impeccable taste in music, and thought his head of hair was pretty amazing!

Chet is survived by his son Alex, his daughters Grace, Kate, and Lydia, his stepdaughter Britany, and his dog Bowie. He is also survived by his brothers Larry (Christine), Paul, and Reed (Jean), many nieces and nephews, and many close friends he considers family! He was preceded in death by his parents, Lorel and Marilyn Goodwin.

Chet’s passing leaves a hole in our hearts that can never be filled. He was a fiercely loyal friend and would drop everything at a moment’s notice to help those closest to him. He was extremely giving to family and friends and their families, always more than generously supporting them for birthdays, weddings, missions, athletics, humanitarian trips, and much more. 

The family wishes to thank the ICU doctors, nurses, and the Donor Connect staff at St. Mark’s Hospital for their care, knowledge, and compassion. 

At Chet’s request, he is being cremated, and a private celebration of life will be held at a later date.