Case Western Reserve University gets $20.5 million gift to help medical, dental schools

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Case Western Reserve University has received a $20.5 million gift from the estates of Dr. Donald Goodman, who graduated from Case dental school in 1945, and his wife, Ruth Weber Goodman.

The Donald J. and Ruth Weber Goodman Philanthropic Fund will reside at Case and the Cleveland Foundation. Started in 2004, the fund totals $70 million and is one of largest gifts to the Cleveland Foundation, said Scott Tennant, public relations officer for the foundation.

Income will be used to support education and research programs at the schools of medicine and dental medicine, Case said in a release. The gift has established two professorships at the Case Western Reserve School of Medicine: The Dr. Donald and Ruth Goodman Professorship in Innovative Cancer Therapeutics, which is held by Dr. Mary J. Laughlin, and The Dr. Donald and Ruth Goodman Professorship in Innovative Cardiovascular Research, which has not yet been appointed.

“Don and Ruth Goodman cared deeply about the university, and we are truly thankful to them and their family for their commitment to pre-eminent research and education at our schools of medicine and dental medicine,” said Barbara R. Snyder, president of Case, in a written statement.

Donald Goodman, who died in 2007, was a Cleveland-area dentist who made his fortune in the stock market. Ruth, who died in 2008, was the daughter of Arthur F. Weber, founder of Cuyahoga Heights, Ohio-based Triplex Screw Co. The company was sold to Murray Corp. of America in 1952, Case said.

“As a couple, Don and Ruth shared the same goal to improve the lives of others. They realized this goal by setting an example with an incredible legacy gift to this community,” said Donald Goodman’s son, Bruce Goodman. Donald Goodman’s granddaughter, Kayleen Goodman-McDowell said, “This gift has allowed them to extend their values through a family legacy beyond any of our expectations.”

Donald Goodman credited research at the School of Medicine and Dr. Laughlin of University Hospitals Ireland Cancer Center with prolonging his life for six years through an experimental treatment for acute myeloid leukemia, according to Case.