Donald Goldstein,86, passed away with his family at his bedside on Monday, December 18, 2017 in The Villages, Florida. He was born in New York and raised in Hampton, Virginia. He was preceded in death by his parents, Max and Jean (Medrisch) Goldstein and daughter-in-law, Karen Schultz.
Don was highly educated receiving a Bachelor’s Degree, three Masters Degrees, a PhD and graduated from the US Air Force Air Command and Staff College and the Air War College. He was a career Air Force Officer for twenty two years and taught at the Air Force Academy and Command and Staff School. After his retirement from the Air Force, he joined the graduate School of Public and International Affairs at the University of Pittsburgh where he taught for thirty five years and retired as Professor Emeritus. He was the winner of two Peabody Awards and authored over 28 books, many on World War II including the best seller At Dawn We Slept. Don was a true favorite among his students and coworkers, receiving many awards for his work and his ability to relate to others. Don loved retirement living in The Villages and was co-founder of the WWII Club.
Don loved life and lived it to the fullest. He was a gifted runner, receiving a track scholarship. Sports remained important to him throughout his life, following the Steelers, Pirates and loved playing golf in The Villages. Don was a great guy and a wonderful family man.
Don, beloved husband, father and grandfather is survived by his wife of 56 years, Mariann (Zinck) Goldstein and their four children; Tammie, married to Mark Krauskopf and their three children, Max, Leah and Natalie Wenwen; Tim Goldstein and his daughter, Nicky; Tom Goldstein and Teri and her husband, Tom Martin and their two children, Cal and Charlie; sisters, Blanche Bishop, Frances DeHaven and nieces and nephews.
A funeral mass will be held Thursday, December 28th at 8:30 a.m. at St. Timothy Catholic Church. A Celebration of Life will be held later the same day from 2 – 4 p.m. at Eisenhower Recreation Center. Burial will take place at a later date in Arlington National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public and International Affairs for the Donald Goldstein Teacher of the Year Award or The Donald Goldstein Scholarship Program at: http://www.giveto.pitt.edu/node/359