Berkeley Emeriti Times, July 9, 2018

July 9, 2018

Retirement Resources in Higher Education
The UC Berkeley Retirement Center and our affiliated Retiree Associations are members of the Association of Retirement Organizations in Higher Education (AROHE), a North American consortium of 100 academic retirement organizations. This membership provides you with access to AROHE newsletters which are available at: https://www.arohe.org/newsletters
In Memorium

John Casida, Professor Emeritus of Environmental Science, Policy and Management died on June 30th at the age of 88. 
http://news.berkeley.edu/2018/07/03/preeminent-toxicologist-and-pesticide-expert-john-casida-dies-at-88/ 
Photo by David Presti, 2016.

George Edward Goldman: 1935 – 2018

      Noted Cooperative Extension Economist, George Goldman, a UC Berkeley emeritus specialist, died Monday, June 11 in Berkeley.  A friend, scholar, colleague,
teacher, and mentor to many, he worked in the College of Natural Resources as an Agricultural Economist for 40 years before retiring in 2002. He was 83.

     Emeritus George Goldman was born on March 22, 1935 in Brooklyn, New York.  He did his undergraduate work at New York University and his graduate work at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

     Emeritus Goldman’s work in the field of agricultural economics was inspiring and practical.  For four decades, he was a tireless problem-solver and used his skills in critical thinking and talents in economic analysis to provide realistic solutions to global and local issues. Known as the “quintessential economic researcher,” he championed the practice of economic analysis as a way of answering the tough (and significant) issues facing society. 

     A member of the distinguished Giannini Foundation of Agricultural Economics, he published work on a broad-range of environmental and natural resource issues, including: urban forestry; California’s prison system; agritourism in San Diego; Tuolumne County’s local economy; whitefly invasion; greenhouse gas policy; recycling policy; US-Mexico production costs; economic impact of drip irrigation; the rights of small farmers; Wetlands Water District subsidies in the Central Valley; water supplies in Santa Barbara and Colusa counties; California’s first cost-benefit analysis for nutrition education; and the impact of Proposition 13 on California’s citizens.   

    Jerry Siebert, former Cooperative Extension Director, University of California and UC Berkeley Cooperative Extension Economist Emeritus writes: “George was responsible for assisting those of us who were evaluating the impact of policy changes on the impact on the economic picture.  His contributions were recognized by many … he provided exceptional contributions to rural and community development … George was a special person.”

     Emeritus Goldman continued to work even after his retirement. In 2008, he was recruited to help set-up a corporation for UCBEA.  In that capacity, he became the Treasurer of the UC Berkeley Emeriti Association, serving from 2008 to 2014.  Former UCBEA President Caroline Kane, UCB Emerita Professor in Residence, also remembers George as “having the best sense of humor that would lighten intense situations as well as put the spotlight on the issue itself.  George focused our attention on details for policies that impacted not only retirees but also active employees, both faculty and staff.  His wisdom will be missed intensely.”

    James Chalfant, Professor of Agricultural and Resource Economics at UC Davis, and former UCRS Board Vice Chair, recalls George being a regular observer at UCRS Advisory Board meetings. “It was a real pleasure to see George at the meetings … If you knew George, you know he was there because he was worried about the circumstances of retirees who were less well off, not worried about his own benefits.”

     Emeritus Goldman, always ready to offer a practical solution to a complex problem, was also an avid hiker, folk dancer, softball player, book collector, and classical music connoisseur.  His charming and superb wit, quiet intelligence, and humble dignity will be missed.  He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Ann Yarwood Goldman, five children (Sara, Polly, Toby, Gideon, and Susannah), son- and daughters-in-law, and four grand-children.  

     A ‘Celebration of George’s Life’ will be held on July 7, 2018 at the Northbrae Community Church (941 The Alameda, Berkeley) from 2 pm to 5 pm.  The family encourages all to enjoy a root beer float in memory of George.

Amy Block Joy

Polly Goldman
To read more: https://are.berkeley.edu/news/2018/06/are-cooperative-extension-specialist-emeritus-george-goldman-1935-2018