Dr. Robert J. 'Bob' Goldish

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Goldish, Dr. Robert J. "Bob" went to his vision of "eternal, uninterrupted, dreamless, nothing-ness" on October 15, 2017. Born in Duluth, MN on January 21, 1924 to Captain S. L. "Cap" and Hattie Goldish, Bob attended Central High, Duluth Junior College and Univer-sity of Minnesota, earning his MD degree at 22 years old. He became a flight surgeon and captain with the US Air Force. His residency was at the University's Minneapolis VA Hospital. Board certified as a specialist in internal medicine, Bob started private practice, and founded Duluth Internal Medicine Associates in the Medical Arts Building. Ever dedicated until his retirement in 1989, Bob made house calls and served at all three Duluth hospitals and many local nursing homes. Bob married the beautiful Selma Senior in 1951. ("Let's give it a whirl!" she said.) He was deeply devoted to their children and grandchildren. He was passionate about Duluth, civic activities, ethical Zionism, Israel's survival, prevention of a repeat Holocaust, and helping new immigrants. Thrilled with acting for over 30 years at the Duluth Playhouse and winning numerous awards, Bob's favorite roles were Tevye in "Fiddler on the Roof" and Oscar in "The Odd Couple." He harmonized and played a mean alto sax and clarinet, performing swing, Dixieland jazz, classical, marching, and klezmer music for 76 years. With Selma, Bob energetically participated in and promoted UMD's lifelong learning program, University for Seniors. Bob loved helping, leading, and teaching others. He was a proud member of the UMD Medical School Founders Group, chief of staff at Miller Memorial Hospital and St. Luke's Hospital; president of the St. Louis County Medical Society; Adjuvant Professor of Medicine at the UMD Medical School, recipient of the Thomas A. Stolee award for "Exceptional Dedication to the Practice of Medicine" and The Minnesota Medical Association's "Community Service Award." His vast interests included many memberships: Lake Superior Medical Society; Minnesota Medical Association; American Medical Association; Hadassah; Palestine Masonic Lodge #79; Scottish Rite; AAD Temple Shrine; American Legion and the Duluth Musicians Association. He served on the Boards of First Bank Duluth, Minnesota Medical Foundation and Guthrie Theatre, and participated on the Governor's Committee on Mental Health. Active in the Lake Superior Freethinker Society, Bob was also affiliated with Adas Israel Synagogue and Temple Israel, and was past president of the Twin Ports Jewish Federation. With Selma, he led the Lake Superior Dinner Dance Club and loved playing in the Round Robin Bridge Club. Bob and Selma visited Israel fifteen times. Bob spent many hours writing to the media about the remarkable profusion of tiny Israel's achievements. Volunteering for a hospital in Nahariya on three extended visits, he taught Jewish, Muslim, Christian, Druze, and Russian resident doctors, treated patients from diverse cultures and enjoyed speaking Hebrew and Yiddish with Israeli friends and relatives. Through the program Experiment in International Living, they hosted foreign visitors and shared with them their love of the Duluth area. Bob is survived by Selma, his dear, devoted wife of 66 years; their wonderful children, Lisa (Leibl Cohen) of Minneapolis, Sue (Michael Hall) of Eugene, OR, Melanie (Jeff Thompson) of Hermantown, and Bruce (Shannon Goldish) of Santa Barbara, CA; grandsons Travis Yon of Jerusalem, Israel and Spencer Yon of Superior, WI; and sister Barbara (Lee) Bearmon of Plymouth. He was preceded in death by sister Esther (Maurice) Krovitz. Shiva will be at 7:00 pm on Thursday, October 19, 2017, at Knollwood Apartments, 3630 Phillips Pkwy in St. Louis Park, MN. In Duluth, a memorial gathering will be held at 1:00 pm on Sunday, October 22, 2017 at Temple Israel, 1602 E 2nd St. Forever the selfless teacher, Bob donated his body to medical science. To continue his legacy, memorial donations would be greatly appreciated to a charity of the donors' choice.

Published on October 18, 2017