David James Wong Goon

David James Wong Goon "JW", Distinguished Chemist of Bloomington, died November 16, 2023, at age 81.

Awarded 5 U.S. patents for drug therapeutics. Published 30+ research papers on organic and medicinal chemistry. Researcher at Veterans Affairs Medical Center, University of Minnesota, LecTec Corp., Faculty member and mentor to many students at several universities and Normandale Community College.
Alumnus 1968 University of Illinois PhD in Physical-Organic Chemistry, 1996 MS and 1964 BS University of Minnesota.
David approached the world with deep curiosity.
- He endeavored to learn: photography (national awards), wilderness skills with NOLS, yoga and golf.
- He made new friends wherever he went.
- He revered nature: backcountry hiking, sea kayaking, supporting environmental causes, becoming a vegetarian.
- He exercised daily: biking, swimming, Lifetime Bloomington fitness classes.
- He actively helped others. Volunteer for Red Cross, smoke alarms, Habitat for Humanity, Free Bikes 4 Kidz. Believed in social justice organizations.

Look to this day for it is life, the very breath of life.
In its brief course lie all the realities of your existence;
The bliss of growth, the glory of action, the splendor of beauty;
For yesterday is already a dream and tomorrow is only a vision.
But today, well lived, makes every yesterday a dream of happiness, and every tomorrow a vision of hope.
Look well, therefore, to this day.

Salutation to the Dawn--Text from the Sanskrit.

David is preceded in death by his parents, Gim and Mary (Chinn) Goon of St. Paul, sister Joan and her husband, Ted Wong of Richfield.
He will be missed by siblings, Bill (Karen) Goon, Linda (Mike) Conway, Richard Goon, Don (Pam) Goon; 9 nieces and nephews, 15 grandnieces and nephews; colleagues and friends.