B. Richard Goldburg

B. Richard Goldburg (AKA “Goldie” or “Doc”) died on Friday February 17, 2017, at Marion General Hospital.  Dr. Goldburg had turned 80 three days earlier on Valentine’s Day.

He was born in Macomb, Illinois, the first child of Maxine and Frank Goldburg who both preceded him in death. Dr. Goldburg graduated from high school in 1955.  He was a successful student, Class President, Homecoming King, and varsity lettered in football, basketball, baseball, golf and track.  He graduated from Washington University in St. Louis in 1959 where he continued to play golf and was a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity.  He then went to the Medical College of Virginia where he graduated with honors in 1966.  While there, he met and fell in love with his wife, Jackie Goldburg.  They married on September 4, 1966 at Congregation Beth Ahabah in Richmond, VA where they were married by his uncle Rabbi Ariel Goldburg.  He did his internship at the Cleveland Clinic, a general surgery residency at the Medical College of Virginia, and an Otolaryngology residency at the United States Naval Hospital in Philadelphia.

As a Lieutenant Commander in the Navy he treated thousands of patients including combat marines, Navy and Air Force returning from the Vietnam War.   He continued this work in Jacksonville, FL as the Assistant Chief of Otolaryngology from 1971-1973.  He and his family moved to Marion, Indiana in 1973 where he opened his first practice as an Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) – Head, Neck and Facial Surgeon.   While running his private practice he also performed thousands of surgeries at Marion General Hospital. Prior to retiring in 2015, he also ran the ENT Clinic part-time at the VA Hospital in Ft. Wayne, Indiana. Dr. Goldburg was a beloved doctor who served generations of families in the Grant County Area for over forty years. Being a doctor was not just a job to him, it was his calling.  He became a doctor not for the money, but because he loved helping and healing people.  He did countless hours of pro bono work, made house calls that were never followed up with bills, and there was never a patient who left his office who he did not consider a friend.  Dr. Goldburg also never failed to put a smile on peoples’ faces with his countless jokes and stories. He was affectionately known as one of the all-time great kidders.

When he wasn’t being a doctor or father to his four children, you could likely find him at one of the golf courses in Grant County.  He was a member of Meshingomesia Country Club for many years where he enjoyed golfing and socializing with his friends and family.  He loved spending time with his children and could often be found swimming with them, playing golf, fishing, or just catching a movie.  He was a big fan of almost all sports and was a particular fan of the Marion Giants basketball team and the St. Louis Cardinals.

Among his many Honors and Fellowships include Alpha Omega Alpha (Medical School Honor Society), Sigma Zeta (Medical School Science Honor Society), American College of Surgeons, American Academy of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, American Academy of Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, American Society of Head & Neck Surgeons, and Society of Military Otolaryngology Surgeons. Dr. Goldburg was also a member of the Grant County Medical Society, President of the Grant County Cancer Society, on the scholarship committee for Grant County graduates, served on the Board of Directors of the YMCA, was president of the Board of Health Directors, and was voted Doctor of the Year.

He is survived by his wife, Jackie Goldburg of Marion; son, Michael Goldburg of New York; three daughters, Julia Goldburg of Indianapolis, Nancy Goldburg Williams (Douglas) of Indianapolis and Meredith Goldburg Saxe (Gareth) of New Jersey; brother, David Goldburg; and three grandchildren, Griffith Saxe, and Abe and Anna Williams.

Friends and family may call from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 21, 2017 at Raven-Choate Funeral Home, 1202 Kem Road, Marion, Indiana.  There will be no funeral services.

Private burial services will be held at Marion National Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Marion-Grant County Humane Society, 505 S. Miller Avenue, Marion, Indiana 46953; or to Wounded Warriors, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516.

Online condolences may be made at www.ravenchoate.com