In Memoriam: Herschell E. Godwin, Jr.

Herschell E. “Buddy” Godwin, Jr., a longtime elevator man who worked for the Elevator Division of the North Carolina Department of Labor (DoL), owned a consultancy and represented North Carolina on A17 code committees, passed away on April 4 at a hospice in Newport, North Carolina. Born in 1940, Godwin served in the U.S. Air Force after graduating from North Carolina State University. He joined the state DoL’s Elevator Division in 1980 as a staff engineer, reviewing and designing all elevators in state-owned buildings and approving permits for all elevators installed in North Carolina. He served as an elevator consultant to various state and federal agencies. For 11 years, Godwin was chair of the CSA B44.1/ASME A17.5 Code Committee. Passionate about his work in the elevator industry, he retired from the state in 2000 and moved to North Topsail Beach, North Carolina, where he served as an alderman. He launched elevator consultancy The Godwin Co. in 2002, spending 12 years consulting for clients including architects, university systems and public agencies. He retired in 2014. Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Judith; daughter, Christian; sisters, Donna and Sherry; brother, James; and two grandchildren. Online condolences may be made here.