(Greensburg, IN) – Jack Goodman is the 2026 recipient of the James E. Griewe Memorial Optimist of the Year Award, which was presented Thursday morning by the Greensburg Optimist Club.
Goodman was president of the club in 1977 when he lost his two sons, Stan and Tim, in an auto accident.
The now 93-year-old Goodman was so grateful to James Greiwe for his cheerful and positive outlook while helping him overcome the loss of his sons, that he and the club presented the first Optimist of the Year award to Greiwe, who passed away in 1978 following a bout with Multiple Sclerosis.
Greensburg Optimist Club immediate past president Douglas Orr called Goodman to the podium under the guise of the latter assisting with the award presentation.
Orr then said Goodman was the unanimous choice for the award.
Goodman says he was shocked to receive the prestigious honor.
“I thought I was coming to help present it to somebody, but it’s so great since I was involved originally with it, and honoring James Greiwe, who wasn’t a member of the Optimist Club but he was a great optimist,” Goodman said. “One of the great things I’ve done in my life was join the Optimist Club 60 years ago…and they’ve been a real influence on me.”
His son, Barry Goodman, spoke about his father on behalf of the family.
Remarks were also delivered by James Greiwe’s brother Charlie.
Thursday’s presentation took place at the Greensburg Community Bread of Life on Randal Street.
