His career started as an entomology specialist in the United States Air Force, where he serviced military installations in Germany and Colorado and the NORAD Command Center. He joined Western Pest Services in 1988 and began as a technician, quickly being promoted as a cocoa bean inspector within the fumigation division. As a technical specialist/entomologist for Western, Godby played a critical role as the primary inspector to the C.M.A.A. (Cocoa Merchants’ Association of America) for the past 20 years. His other duties included support for both the pest control and fumigation divisions.
Godby was an active member of St. James Episcopal Church and served on the church vestry. He was also an active member of the Entomological Society of America (E.S.A.) and Pi Chi Omega, the professional pest control fraternity. He enjoyed the outdoors and especially loved fly-fishing and golfing.
Fellow Purdue University graduate Dr. Kathy Heinsohn, NPMA Staff Entomologist, worked with Godby eight years and remembers him as “fine entomologist” who always had a smile on his face. “I saw Bruce last a year ago at a retirement party for a mutual friend of ours from Western,” she said. “Bruce had traditionally been a large man and with his illness, he had lost a tremendous amount of weight. But, he was smiling and upbeat at the party, and there were those features you couldn’t help but love – the hearty chuckle, the big bear hug and those twinkly blue eyes behind those glasses. His whole face beamed when he smiled. Oh, and then there were those terribly corny jokes he’d tell. He’d get you to laugh one way or another!”
Dr. Jill Gordon, another former colleague now with Mantis Consulting, said, “I believe Bruce valued his entomological education so highly in his life. He was always first and foremost a ‘bug-guy,’ and so very proud of that fact.”
Tom Walters, vice president and general manager of Western Pest Services, said, “I worked with Bruce for many, many years and knew him to be the consummate professional when it came to his work, and a loving, dedicated husband and father at home. He loved the outdoors and passionately enjoyed fishing. His happiest moments were the times he spent outdoors fishing with his sons Erik and Dylan, and many of his co-workers and friends. His courage and unwavering determination to beat this terrible disease inspired so many people here at Western that it’s difficult to believe he’s gone. He will be missed greatly by everyone at Western.”
Mike Goldstein, of Woodstream Corp., added, “I’m shocked to learn of his passing. When I saw him last, he seemed to be doing well and I thought he had the cancer on the run. Bruce had a great sense of humor, was a pleasure to work with and he really enjoyed his job and profession; these things always came through in dealings with him.”
Godby is survived by his wife Cammie, daughter Jasmine, and sons Erik and Dylan. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the Godby Family, 711 Summit Ave., Prospect Park, PA 19076. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 4, at 10:00 a.m. at St. James Episcopal Church, 732 11th Ave., Prospect Park.
Contributions in support of the Godby family may be made to the Bruce Godby Fund, c/o Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union, P.O. Box 1907, Media, PA 19063-8907. In addition, a “Taste of the Town” fundraiser will be held for the Godby family on Friday, April 3, 2009 at the Firehouse in Prospect Park, Pa. The address is 10th & Lincoln Avenue, Prospect Park, PA 19076.