Dear Sir and Brother,

It is with deepest regret and a heavy heart that I inform you of the Passing to the Grand Lodge Above of W.Bro. Fred Keith Scott Goddard, PPrJGW.

W.Bro. Keith had been enduring mobility problems in recent years and had not been attending Lodge for that reason. At around the time of his 93rd birthday on 3 December Keith suffered a seizure from which he apparently suffered no lasting effects. However other issues manifested themselves and he was admitted to Bridgend's Princess of Wales Hospital. Sadly, whilst there, he contracted the new strain of SARS2 Covid-19, and died peacefully in his sleep in the early hours of this morning, 31 December 2020.

Keith was originally a Home Counties man and spent the bulk of his working life at the Atomic Weapons Establishment, in Aldermaston, Berkshire.

Indeed, Keith was Initiated in the Padworth Lodge No 7505, which meets in Aldermaston Parish Hall, on 15 September 1971. He was Installed into the Chair of KS at that Lodge in June 1984 and held that situation for two years. On his retirement Keith and Mrs Goddard moved to South Wales, more particularly Pencoed. Keith joined Morganwg Lodge, No 5084 in May 1999 and served with great distinction especially in the roles of Preceptor and Chaplain.

In Royal Arch Masonry, Keith was Exalted in Pangbourne Chapter No 4381 on 16 March 1973. He became a Founder Member of the Adare Chapter No 9247 in 1993, where he became First Principal in 1999. He was also a Joining PZ of Hendre Chapter No 3250, and a Founder of Llangeinor Chapter No 4194 in 2003. He was promoted to Past Provincial Deputy Grand Registrar in 2008.

Keith was a kind, softly spoken, knowledgeable Brother and gentleman who inspired great respect. His absence at meetings was something we have learned to endure but his passing will nonetheless be a cause of great sorrow to so many.

Keith had been a widower since the sad passing of Mrs Goddard on 11 October 2007. He is survived by two sons, the youngest of whom, Colin, was his devoted carer in the last decade or so of his life.

Our thoughts are with the family at this sad time.

Funeral arrangements are complicated not only by the present pandemic restrictions, but by the fact that it was Keith's wish that his body be donated to Medical Science. I would not anticipate that this will be possible given the circumstances, but it may have some influence on funeral arrangements, which are, in any event, likely to be minimal in accordance with Keith's wishes.

REQUESCAT IN PACE

Yours fraternally,

Martyn Daley
PM 5084