A true, modern-day renaissance man: a man who rose to the top echelons of military service; a man whose academic prowess enabled him to earn four advanced degrees and teach on the graduate level; and a man whose insights and journalistic skills enabled him to write 28 books and receive two Peabody Awards, will be eulogized at a memorial service, Dec. 28 at Eisenhower Recreation Center.
Villages’ resident Donald Goldstein, Ph.D. died on Dec. 18. He was 86.
His unparalleled impact throughout his several education-oriented careers will long be remembered as an inspiring and motivating teacher – including his most recent role as a stimulating leader of The Villages World War II History Club.
That record of accomplishment began by receiving a bachelor’s degree, three master’s degrees and a PhD, as well as by graduating from the U.S. Air Force’s Air Command and Staff College as well as the Air War College, both at Maxwell AFB, Ala. During his 22-years of military service, Goldstein taught at the Air Force Academy and the Air Command and Staff College.
Later, in civilian life, Goldstein taught at the University of Tampa and Troy State University before joining the faculty of the University of Pittsburgh’s Graduate School of Public and International Affairs. When he retired from there after 35 years of teaching, the University honored him with the distinction of Professor Emeritus.
His passion, interest and expertise about World War II led him to his third career as a highly accomplished author and lecturer. Among his shelf-full of books, he co-authored the best-selling accounting of Pearl Harbor: At Dawn We Slept that was a runner-up for the 1982 Pulitzer Prize and on the New York Times ‘best-seller’ list for 47 weeks. Another book, Miracle at Midway, was on the ‘best-seller’ lists for nine weeks.
Goldstein’s prestigious Peabody recognition was for his two documentaries produced for ABC Television: Pearl Harbor That Changed the World, hosted by David Brinkley, and “D-Day: A Soldier’s Story” with Peter Jennings.
With his relocation to The Villages, Goldstein, along with Mark Erdrich, of the Village of Hemingway, co-founded the Village’s World War II History Club in January, 2010.
“I nearly fell off my chair when I heard of Don’s interest. He was one of the top 20 historians in the world,” recalls Erdrich. “He brought his 20-plus years of military experiences, his academic abilities, and his incomparable perspectives that he called the American Way of War, and his passion to our discussions. No one was more knowledgeable about warfare than Don. Every one of his lectures was a learning experience. He created an environment for students who wanted to learn.”
Later, Goldstein expanded Villagers’ involvement by encouraging the start of a book club as well as initiating our musical programs featuring the sounds of the World War II era.
“We are deeply saddened by Don’s death especially since his passing comes just a few weeks before our Music of World War II Concert on Jan. 16,” said event organizer Bruce Miller. “We certainly will be dedicating the evening to his memory.”
Goldstein will be honored by his burial at Arlington National Cemetery. In turn, he will honor all the other heroes who he will now share those sacred grounds.
