David Godbey

David “Dave” J. Godbey, 71, of Bel Air, Maryland, passed away on April 15, 2025, at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center in Baltimore, surrounded by his loved ones.

Born in Boston, Massachusetts, Dave was the son of the late James and Josephine (Vinitsky) Godbey. He was the beloved husband of Ellice Luh, whom he met when they were graduate students at UC Berkeley and married in 1989.

Dave’s life was a remarkable journey through music, science, and technology. He began his career as a musician, then earned his Ph.D. in physical chemistry, and eventually discovered a new passion in computer science. After retiring, he returned to his first love: music. He collaborated with local musicians at various open-mics, especially Baltimore’s Teavolve, to hone his performance skills. As “The Ragin’Contagion,” he explored a variety of sounds and musical styles; his own diverse musical tastes ranged from Enya to Jelly Roll. A proud and enthusiastic Swiftie, Dave took advantage of having a daughter as an “excuse” to attend Taylor Swift concerts, fully embracing the joy and energy of the experience.

Dave was a devoted member of Red Sox Nation and all Boston-area pro sport. He shared his love of sports with his children by coaching their rec league basketball, baseball, and soccer teams throughout their childhoods. While it was an opportunity to spend quality time with them, he also valued teaching them about strategy. He was a true student of the game. What some may have criticized as overly enthusiastic spectating was simply his true passion for sports –- as evidenced by a legendary yellow card he received during his son’s high school soccer match. His enthusiasm was infectious, and his guidance left a lasting impact on many young athletes—especially his children.

Although he loved to walk to the beat of his own drum, Dave always placed his family first. He was only a phone call or text away – keen to give advice, send photos of the cats, and most of all, share snippets of his newest musical endeavors. Our lives will be much quieter now as our beloved husband, father, and friend starts his new journey.

In addition to his wife, David is survived by his son, Griffin Godbey; daughter, Mia Godbey; sisters, Nancy Barnes and Laura Richardson; brother, Brian Godbey; and cats, Nick Furry and Arty.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution in Dave’s name to American Cancer Society at 405 Williams Court Suite 120, Baltimore, MD 21220, or the Maryland Food Bank at 2200 Halethorpe Farms Rd, Baltimore, MD 21227.