Rick Goldberg

Rick Goldberg was born in Dallas, raised in Houston, and spent most of his adult life in Austin. At the University of Texas he earned, over many years, three degrees in three disciplines: Business Administration (BBA), Middle Eastern Studies (BA), and Sociology of Religion (MA). In the business world, Rick's primary vocation was selling Israeli drip irrigation technology to schools and residential subdivisions all over Texas. Rick's serious dedication to Judaism comes from his idol, Melamed Ezra Rubin, his great-grandfather, who was a Jewish scholar and teacher. Rick sought to honor his father, Billy Goldberg, a State of Texas political activist and an unflinching Zionist, who gave time and money to both of those causes. As a generous philanthropist for Jewish causes, Rick followed in his father's footsteps, giving away more money over the years than he kept for himself. For most of his life, Rick studied various fields that he found particularly interesting: Darwinism, the lure of the Jewish people, and his most valuable challenge and reward, Daf Yomi from the Babylonian Talmud, which he studied with his rabbi every morning for 7 ½ years without fail. When Rick retired from his drip irrigation business, he began examining the relationship between Darwinian biology and the history of religion, reaching back to time immemorial. His goal was to write and publish books of unique and serious content, and in that way, to honor his great-grandfather. After many years of work, Rick published two books: Judaism in Biological Perspective (Biblical Lore and Judaic Practices), and Dead But Not Gone! (Spirits, Judaism and Ancestral Influence). While Rick was writing these books, a successful real estate venture allowed him to increase his aid both to Jewish philanthropic organizations and to the work of Israeli students of biology and religion. Rick's scholarly activities in traditional religiosity helped him appreciate even more those who practice the Jewish religion. Rick would like his life to be "remembered for a blessing." Funeral and burial services will take place on Tuesday, 11 March at 2:00 pm at Austin Memorial Park (2800 Hancock Dr). To stream the funeral, please go to the Austin Natural Funerals Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/AustinNaturalFunerals. A Facebook account is not required in order to view. If a pop-up window appears asking you to log in, click "not now" and the live stream will be available for you to view. If the "not now" button does not appear, scroll down on the page and it will come up for you to select. Shiva minyanim will be held at the following times and locations: CONGREGATION AGUDAS ACHIM Directly after the burial: Tuesday (3/11) 6:00 pm: Wednesday (3/12), and Sunday (3/16) (CAA Chapel). CONGREGATION TIFERET ISRAEL 7:05 am: Wednesday (3/12), Thursday (3/13), Friday (3/14), and Monday (3/17) 8:05 am: Sunday (3/16) In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations may be made in Rick's (z"l) loving memory: Congregation Agudas Achim: https://theaustinsynagogue.org/giving/ Congregation Tiferet Israel: https://www.tiferetaustin.org/donations T'hi Nishmato Tz'rurah Bitzror haHayim. May Rick's (z"l) memory be bound up in the bond of life.

Rick Goldberg

April 13, 1945 - March 8, 2025