Obituary of Alan Goodacre

Alan Kenneth Goodacre, age 89, passed away on June 17, 2025 in Ottawa.

Alan was born in Chigwell, England on February 11, 1936 to Kenneth Goodacre and Dorothy Baker.  He grew up in British Columbia and graduated with an MA (physics) from the University of British Columbia in 1959.  He earned his Ph D (Geophysics) from the university of Durham in 1976.

In the late 1950s, Alan worked as a summer student at the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory in Victoria, BC.  He moved to Ottawa to pursue his career, and was a Scientific Officer with the Dominion Observatory from 1960 to 1970 and a Research Scientist with the Earth Physics Branch and the Geological Survey of Canada (formerly the Dominion Observatory) from 1970 to 1994.

Alan was a lifelong amateur radio enthusiast.  He was first licensed as VE7AIZ in Victoria, B.C. in 1953.  His other call signs included:  VE3BZS (1960 – 1970, Ottawa), VE2AEJ (1970 – present, Lac du Cerf, QC) and VE3HX (1984 – present, Ottawa).  He had a keen interest in long-delay echoes and published several articles on his observations of the phenomenon.

Alan met Lise Caron in Ottawa and the two were married in 1963. A loving husband and father, a good friend and neighbour, Alan was a genuinely kind, caring member of the community.  He is survived by his wife, Lise; his three children Nathalie, Gary and Stephen, and his son-in law Dale and Daughter-in-law Jill; his three grandchildren Aidan, Kayla and Liriel.

While no formal arrangements are planned for a funeral, friends and family are most welcome to call or visit with Lise and the family to share their memories.  This can be arranged by email: gary.goodacre@gmail.com