Lester L. Goldstein

GOLDSTEIN, LESTER L., Prominent builder and developer turned expert zoning attorney Lester L. Goldstein, who along with his wife spearheaded fund-raising for South Florida's Alzheimer's community, died Tuesday. The Bal Harbour resident was 75. Son of the late Rose and Max Goldstein, the latter also a noted building official, Mr. Goldstein was born July 2, 1928, in St. Louis, Missouri. The family moved to South Florida in 1946, whereupon he enrolled at the University of Miami, earning a 1950 Bachelor's degree in Business Administration. After graduating, Mr. Goldstein joined his father in a successful decades-long career in the building industry. He returned to academia in 1975 at his wife's urging to fulfill his dream of becoming a lawyer. Mr. Goldstein earned a 1977 J.D. from Nova University's Law School, where he also served as a chairman and member of the Shepard Broad Law Center's Board of Governors. He then embarked on a lengthy legal career with a prominent Miami law firm. While serving in various community leadership posts, including the Metropolitan Dade County Planning Advisory Board and the Miami Beach Zoning Ordinance Review Committee, he eventually joined the team of Bilzin, Sumberg, Dunn Price and Axelrod as a zoning and development arbitrator. In 2002, the Builders Association of South Florida honored his experience and commitment in the field by installing him as group president. Among myriad civic and professional honors, the businessman was also feted as one of Twelve Good Men from the Ronald McDonald House in 1993. Along with wife Bella, Mr. Goldstein was a founding NOTABLE and driving force behind the high-profile Alzheimer's Care Committee/ NOTABLES of Douglas Gardens, which supports medical care and services throughout the Miami-Dade and Broward communities. Another love of Mr. Goldstein's was the Zoological Society of Florida, where he served as president for a number of years. In addition to the couple's philanthropic involvement at the Miami Jewish Home & Hospital for the Aged at Douglas Gardens, where they were both FOUNDERS, he was also a Founder at Mt. Sinai Medical Center. An avid tennis player, Lester was also a former chairman of the city of Miami Beach's Tennis and Racquetball Club. Mr. Goldstein is survived by Bella Goldstein, his wife of more than 30 years; two children, P. Jeffrey Goldstein and Tina Goldstein, both of Miami; grandsons Jason and Ian Goldstein; and a host of other loving relatives and friends. A funeral service is scheduled for 11 a.m. on Friday, March 19, 2004 at Temple Israel of Greater Miami, 137 N.E. 19th Street. Rabbi Mitchell Chefitz will officiate. Following the interment, the family will sit Shiva until sundown at the Douglas Gardens Ruby Auditorium, 5200 N.E. Second Avenue, Miami, FL ?MDNM ?33137. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in his memory to the Alzheimer's Care Committee/ NOTABLES of Douglas Gardens, 5200 N.E. Second Avenue, Miami, FL 33137. Donations can also be sent to the Zoological Society of Miami, 12400 S.W. 152nd Street, Miami, FL 33177. To visit this Guest Book Online, go to www.herald.com/obituaries.