Richard Paul Godkin
It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of Richard Paul Godkin, 85. Richard passed away surrounded by his family on June 26, 2025, after a long battle with lung cancer.
Richard was born on September 28, 1939. He was the second of three sons born to Paul and Charlotte Godkin. The family owned a small farm in Nebraska from which Richard rode his pony, Babe, to the one-room schoolhouse where he attended school. Richard was shaped by those early years of farm-work with his mother, father, and two brothers. He often shared stories of waking early to milk the cows and knowing it was time to stop warming his feet by the furnace when he heard his father’s boots on the porch. Richard was very close to his mother, Charlotte, who once published a poem under Richard’s name, giving him a boost of popularity with the girls at school. Richard was known as one of the smallest players on his high school football team. He finally grew to a respectable 5 ’11’’ during his senior year, a little late for excelling in the sport he loved. He remained a loyal fan of Nebraska football, returning to see Cornhuskers’ games with his brothers, son, and nephew.
The Godkin family relocated to Carpinteria, California, in 1957, right before Richard graduated from high school. Charlotte was recovering from cancer surgery, and doctor bills forced the family to sell the farm and start over in California. Richard drove cross-country after school that summer. His father, Paul, gave up farming for carpentry—a skill that he passed on to his three sons, who all found success in the building industry.
Richard served in the Army Reserves while learning carpentry from his father. In 1977, Richard founded his own construction company, Godkin Construction. Over the next 36 years, Richard built numerous homes, condominiums, and office buildings in Santa Barbara, including the Vintage Ranch community and the Arlington Court office building on Anacapa Street. He was especially proud that the Godkin building tradition continued in Santa Barbara, with his son, Mark, and nephew, Alan, both working in the industry. One of the highlights of Richard’s retirement years was the many chats he had about the construction business with his brother, John, a renowned local artist and architect and nephew, Shawn Godkin also an architect, who together founded Godkin Design/Build Inc.
Richard’s first marriage to Joyce Grayber resulted in two children, a son, Mark, and a daughter, Julie. Richard remarried in 1972 to Devon Angeline Runnels. Their marriage was filled with many wonderful memories for their two daughters, Austria and January. The girls fondly remember Richard’s great sense of humor, the many adventures he took with them, and his Midwestern phrases, “I’ll be darned” and “Well, shoot,” upon hearing interesting or disappointing news. Richard lost his wife, Devon, to cancer in 2007.
Richard found love again and married Penny Darcy in 2013. Penny and Richard enjoyed many years of adventure and companionship. Penny was drawn to Richard as a hardworking, kindhearted, fun-loving man with impeccable integrity and a fierce love of his family. A typical weekend included Richard manning the barbeque while the grandkids swam in the pool and played boardgames at the family home. Penny and Richard cared for each other with great love, and patience. The family is grateful for Penny’s loving care of Richard through his cancer battles.
Richard is survived by his devoted wife, Penny Godkin; his daughters, Austria Ryken (Ben) and January Moore (Steve); and his younger brother, John Godkin (Toni). He was an attentive grandfather to Trey Remington Ryken (Hannah), Dakota Ryken (Mikaela), Maxwell Ryken, Vienna Moore, and Tyne Moore, and granddaughter in-law Barbara Rodgers. He was a loving great-grandfather to Richard Godkin, Oakley Ryken, and Lainey Ryken. He also leaves behind many dear nieces and nephews: Larissa Feramisco, Shayla Tarp, David Godkin, Alan Godkin, Shawn Godkin, and Kyle Tarp, and many more beloved family members.
He was preceded in death by his ex-wife, Joyce Grayber; his son, Mark Godkin; his daughter, Julie Godkin; and his grandson, Ricky Godkin. He was also preceded in death by his brother, Samuel Godkin; his parents, Paul and Charlotte Godkin; and his wife of 35 years, Devon Runnels Godkin.
Richard’s family admired his strong work ethic, his joyful demeanor, and the pleasure he took in sports and his favorite pastimes. He was an avid tennis player, downhill skier, skydiver, and a skilled poker player—playing in the World Series of Poker on several occasions. Richard took immense pride in his grandchildren and loved cheering them on in their activities. Richard was a man with an enviable zest for life, which he lived to the fullest. Though our family has suffered a great loss, we are forever grateful for the loving memories that time cannot erase.
The family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to Luis and Mayra Marroquin, VNA Hospice, the Ridley-Tree Cancer Center Palliative Care Team, Dr. Mukul Gupta, and Dr. Christopher Thrash and staff for their compassionate and expert care. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Santa Barbara Cancer Foundation.
