Robert G. Goldy
December 9, 1937 - December 24, 2021 (84)
Bob (Robert George) Goldy passed away in Rockville, Maryland from complications related to Alzheimer’s. He was the beloved husband of Charlotte Newman Goldy, beloved (and very loving) father of Rachel Goldy-Thaul, father-in-law to Aaron Thaul, beloved uncle to Robin Broussard, Jordan Broussard, David and Natalie Goldy. He was predeceased by his beloved mother Rose (Margolin), father Abe, and brother and sister-in-law Charles (Chuck) and Penny Goldy.
Bob lived a full and unconventional life, living in many places and never fitting into one “box.” Throughout his life, he pursued many interests, and continually searched for ways to meaningfully combine these interests. He was a beloved son, husband and father, teacher and friend. He became a scholar and teacher in the Jewish world.
Born in the Los Angeles area, he spent part of his idyllic childhood riding his bike through the “Wash” (later Freeway), riding horses, playing with friends and many stray animals. His family moved back to Cleveland, Ohio where he was a teenage competitive weightlifter. When he graduated from Cleveland Heights High School he tried different paths for a few years, managing a gym, doing commercial art, and acting as a field representative for Simon and Schuster before deciding to attend Fenn College (Cleveland State). He earned his bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Philosophy and History from Ohio University, and his coursework for a Ph.D. in Philosophy at the University of Maryland. He taught as an Assistant Professor at Cleveland State until deciding to make Aliyah. In Israel (1968-1980), he was a “kibbutznik” (Machanayim and Barkai) where he worked in the dairy barn and the orchard while also teaching in various universities. During his time in Israel, he served in the Israel Defense Force (including during the Yom Kippur War), wrote and taught for the Mapam party, and was an early editor of the English version of the Shdemot magazine. In 1978 he entered The Hebrew University of Jerusalem where he could combine his interests in philosophy and Judaism. From 1980-83, he was in New York City where he was a Research Fellow at the Jewish Theological Seminary (while also teaching in various venues). His decision was then to combine his talents working with college students to empower them to find their Jewish path by becoming the Executive Director of the Hillel Foundation at Miami University (Oxford, OH) where he touched the lives of countless students before retiring in 1994. By that time, he finished his dissertation (Ph.D. 1988), published The Emergence of Jewish Theology in America, was ordained a rabbi through Tifereth Israel, and earned recognition by the Chief Rabbinate of Israel. He also touched the lives of countless students and townspeople, taught classes at Miami University, and participated in outreach programs around Ohio.
His time in Ohio was also filled with weightlifting, drawing, and riding horses. Most significantly, while in Oxford, he met Charlotte Newman in 1984 when she arrived to teach History and married her in May of 1988. They were blessed with a daughter Rachel in 1989, the joy of their lives.
After they both were retired, Bob and Charlotte moved to Rockville, Maryland to live closer to Rachel and Aaron. Despite his decline in health, Bob focused on continuing to learn, write, and enrich the lives of his beloved family and friends, while still attracting animals alike. He passed away surrounded by his family after a long fight with Alzheimer’s.
Due to Covid, there will be no traditional shiva or funeral, but graveside service will be announced in the future.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in his honor may be made to:
-The Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org )
-JSSA Hospice (www.jssa.org/donate and designate hospice)
-The Iris Music Project (www.irismusicproject.com ) who greatly enriched Bob and Charlotte’s lives in Rockville
- Miami University’s Chabad “Goldy Library” (www.chabadmiamioh.com )
-The Bob and Charlotte Goldy Judaica Fund through the Hillel Foundation (www.muhillel.org),
-An animal shelter of your choice to honor the many animals he rescued throughout his life.