M
urray H. Goodman '48 '88H, a prominent American real estate developer and generous philanthropist, has passed away at the age of 99. Goodman was the sole owner of The Goodman Company, which he established in Allentown, Pennsylvania in 1960 and later headquartered in West Palm Beach, Florida. Over nearly 75 years, he developed over 25 million square feet of commercial retail space, industrial buildings, and regional malls across several states.
Goodman is widely recognized as a pioneer of the "super-regional mall," a concept popularized in the 1950s and '60s that featured destination-style shopping centers with a wide variety of stores, restaurants, and entertainment options. His company developed notable examples such as Granite Run Mall outside Philadelphia and Westmoreland Mall near Pittsburgh.
Goodman's development portfolio also included luxury shopping centers like 150 Worth (Esplanade) and Neiman Marcus on Worth Avenue in Palm Beach, Florida. He was ranked among the leading developers and managers of shopping malls by Shopping Center World, a respected trade publication.
"Murray Goodman was a symbol of American ingenuity, grit, and determination," said President Joseph J. Helble '82. "His generosity and vision have left an indelible mark on Lehigh University, and we will deeply miss him."
Born in 1925 to immigrant parents from Lithuania, Goodman grew up in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, where he graduated from high school during World War II. He attended Lehigh University, where he was a member of Sigma Alpha Mu fraternity and the varsity basketball team, captaining it in his senior year.
Goodman's time at Lehigh had a lasting impact on his life and career. "Lehigh and the relationships I built there were very important to my future success," he said in a 2020 interview. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in business administration in 1948 and went on to launch M.H. Goodman & Company, which later became The Goodman Company.
Goodman served as a member of Lehigh's board of trustees from 1979 to 2000 and was awarded an honorary doctor of letters degree in 1988. He was inducted into the Lehigh Athletics Hall of Fame in 1999 and received the Lifetime Commitment to Lehigh award in 2022.
Goodman's generosity to Lehigh is evident in his contributions, including the naming of the Murray H. Goodman Campus, Goodman Stadium, and the Goodman Center for Real Estate Studies. His impact on the university extends beyond athletics, as he helped shape Lehigh's cultural landscape through his support of academics and community development.
Beyond his work with Lehigh, Goodman was an active civic leader, supporting organizations such as the United Jewish Appeal, the U.S. Holocaust Museum, and national educational programs. He was a director or trustee for several institutions, including the U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation and the Schepens Eye Research Institute.
Goodman is survived by his wife, Joanie Mellor Goodman, five children, and four grandchildren. His legacy as a visionary developer, generous philanthropist, and dedicated community leader will be remembered for generations to come.
