Charles Frederick Goodeve was born in Neepawa, Manitoba, Canada, 21 February 1904, the son of Frederick William Goodeve and Emma Hand. He was educated at Kelvin High School, Winnipeg; Manitoba University, 1919-25; and University College, London. He married Janet Wallace, 1932, with whom he had two sons.

He was an Assistant Lecturer at Manitoba University, 1925-7; and Assistant Lecturer, 1928-30, Lecturer, 1930-8, and Reader, 1938-45, in Physical Chemistry at University College, London. He served with the Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserves, 1922-7, and the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserves, 1927-39. He was appointed to HMS Vernon to work on counter measures to German magnetic mines, 1939-40. He was Deputy Director of the Department of Miscellaneous Weapon Development, 1940-2, and Deputy Controller of Research and Development, 1942-5, at the Admiralty. He was Director of the British Iron and Steel Research Association, 1946-69; Chairman of the Operations Research Club, 1947-51; an adviser to the British Transport Commission, 1948-58; Vice-President of the Parliamentary and Scientific Committee, 1950-62; and a member of the Lord President's Advisory Committee on Scientific Policy, 1953-6. He retired in 1969.

He was awarded the OBE, 1941, and a knighthood, 1946. He was a governor of Imperial College, London, 1961-73.

He died on 7 April 1980.