Dr. Ira Bernard Goldman

Ira succumbed after a battle with Frontotemporal Dementia and ALS, on Wednesday, March 4, 2020 at River Glen Health Care Center in Southbury. He was the beloved husband of Sharon Epstein Goldman. Ira was born April 11, 1939 to Sylvia and William Goldman in Baltimore, MD.

Upon graduating from Forest Park High School Ira achieved undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Maryland culminating in a PhD in Chemical Engineering. Ira was a member of Phi Sigma Delta fraternity. He was inducted into Sigma Xi, the scientific research honor society. During grad school Ira spent a summer at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland working on fuel cells. He also completed two years post-doctoral studies at Princeton University.

Ira’s career began at Esso in New Jersey. Leaving the petroleum industry Ira accepted a position at Western Electric’s Bell Labs in Princeton NJ. While residing in Princeton Ira joined the ambulance squad and became certified by the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons with advanced training as an EMT.

After 10 years with Bell Labs Ira joined GE in Plainville, CT where he was employed for 32 years until his retirement. His job entailed supporting production in the materials and processing lab and was an electronics expert for insulation on printed wiring boards. Ira traveled to GE plants all over the US to troubleshoot. He mentored summer interns and taught in-plant technical courses and participated in a GE university speaker series. The last 14 years at GE Ira shifted his focus and became a Master Black Belt in Six Sigma, a statistical quality program that improves methodology for eliminating defects in products and services. His teaching skills were unsurpassed; and he traveled the globe to train employees and vendors in this discipline.

Dr. Goldman’s research throughout his career yielded over 25 patents and he authored over 20 publications. He was a member of numerous professional organizations including the American Society of Quality where he was on the Leadership Team of the local chapter until he became ill.

Ira belonged to the GE Elfun Society, a volunteer community service organization, and helped collect Toys for Tots; and for many years he was a judge at the annual Invention Convention at UCONN representing GE. During retirement, along with his wife, Ira assisted in making sandwiches for GWIM (Greater Waterbury Interfaith Ministries) once a month.

Ira was an avid sports fan. He ran track and played lacrosse during his formative years. Ira played tennis weekly and in retirement semiweekly. He followed baseball and football closely rooting for his home team, the Baltimore Orioles; and after years in New England became a diehard Patriots fan. He enjoyed softball and payed on several work teams. Especially during his illness Ira delighted in sharing sports scores with family including his grandson.

Through a mutual acquaintance Ira met his wife Sharon and soulmate of 26 years. Together they enjoyed traveling, theater, museums, movies and gatherings with family and friends. They actively participated in synagogue life.

Ira was a devoted husband, father, stepfather and grandfather. He especially loved his role as grandpa. Ira leaves behind his cherished family, his loving wife and best friend Sharon, his son Derek Goldman and his wife Anna Margaret of Missoula, MT, his daughter Deni Goldman of Westwood, MA, his stepsons Joshua Broder and his wife Alison of Higganum, CT and Ezra Broder and his wife Lauren of Oakland, CA., his grandson Cooper and granddaughters Addison and Ariel. Ira is predeceased by his brother Morton.

The family wishes to thank the staff at The Watermark, River Glen and VITAS for the exceptional care given during Ira’s illness.

Funeral services will be held 12 P.M, Monday, March 9, 2020 at B’nai Israel, 444 Main St. North, Southbury, 06488. Burial will follow at Farband Cemetery in Morris, CT. Shiva will be observed 7 P.M, Tuesday, March 10, and Wednesday, March 11 at B’Nai Israel. The Alderson-Ford Funeral Home of Waterbury, 496 Chase Ave, 06704 is assisting the family with the arrangements. Donations in Ira’s memory can be made to B’nai Israel, P.O. Box 350, Southbury, CT 06488, Greater Waterbury Interfaith Ministries, 770 East Main St., Waterbury, CT 06702 or VITAS, 199 Park Rd Ext, Suite 102, Middlebury, CT 06762.