Dr. Richard M. Goldberg – dedicated husband, father, grandfather, and friend – passed away on April 6, 2024 at the age of 82 in Sylvania, Ohio.
Richard was born on January 12,1942 to Evelyn and Max Goldberg in Rochester, NY. He grew up in a loving, family-oriented atmosphere, cultivating strong connections with his cousins and extended family in Rochester. This upbringing profoundly influenced Richard’s values, anchoring family at the core of his life. After Richard graduated from Brighton High School in 1959, he majored in History at the University of Rochester. He then went on to study Psychology at the University of Buffalo and then received his PhD in Psychology from the University of Cincinnati. Richard was the CEO of Behavioral Connections in Bowling Green from 2000-2016.
Richard married Betty Bruchmann in 1967, becoming stepfather to Betty’s young children Warren, Jeffrey, and Douglas Ross. Richard and Betty expanded their family having daughter Rachel in 1969. Richard was married again in 1978 to Deborah Cole, and the two welcomed daughter Jessica in 1984. In 2009, Richard married Joy Hyman and enjoyed his final years with Joy in Sylvania, OH and part-time residence in Ft Lauderdale, FL.
Richard’s two life achievements outside of his profession and family were being in a group of parents in 1972 that started a new school initially called the Creative Learning Center (now called the Creative Learning Academy). And in 1975, Richard and another local Pensacola family sponsored the Nguyen family that had barely escaped escalating violence in their area of Vietnam, helping them integrate and get established in the United State of America.
Richard is preceded in death by his parents Max and Evelyn Goldberg and his sister Elaine Hughson. Richard is survived by his wife Joy, her daughter and son-in-law Ilana and Eric Levin and their sons Max and Reed, his daughter and son-in-law Jessica and Andrew Zeigler and their children Noah, Amelia and Anna, his daughter and son-in-law Rachel and Timothy Olzer and their children Valerie, Bridget and Madeline, and his surrogate daughters Bang/Bonnie Nguyen Lam and Dung/Zoom Nguyen Le. His favorite pastimes included history, coin collecting, road trips to historic sites, playing games with his family (particularly Rummikub), and spending time with his beloved grandchildren. Richard’s passion, presence, and his love for his family will be greatly missed.
A memorial service will be held at Temple Shomer Emunim in Sylvania, Ohio at 12noon on April 19, 2024, followed by a meal of condolence. Per his wishes, Richard will be laid to rest next to his parents in Pensacola, FL.
