Sidney A. Goldman

Early Saturday morning Springfield lost its most ardent community ambassador when Sidney Aaron Goldman passed. Sid was born May 18th, 1922, the oldest son of Saul and Ada [nee Burstein] Goldman. Sid was born in Decatur, Illinois, and lived his full life in Springfield. He graduated from Springfield High with his future wife of 70 years Ruth Eckstein. After Graduating High School Sidney attended the University of Illinois in Champaign, until his ROTC unit was called to serve in the Pacific Theater in World War II. Sid was a 1st Lieutenant in the 24th Infantry Division, the 19th regiment, the 2nd Battalion F Company. He served as a company commander and received the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and for meritorious actions a Presidential Citation. After military service he joined his father and uncle in the family business of Barker, Goldman and Lubin, one of Springfield's premiere family businesses serving the Springfield community in scrap processing, home building, and lumber. In 1949 Sidney, his father Saul and his younger brother Robert became the sole owners of Central Iron and Metal Company, a large scrap processing company in Springfield. Sidney expanded the company to include Central Iron and Metal Company, Central Steel Products, Central Salvage Company, DASCO trucking, and a rail parts and mining supply company. His ROTC unit having been called to duty during WWII months before his graduation, he returned to his educational pursuits in 1971, receiving his degree in business and marketing, thus becoming the first member of his family to graduate from college. He graduated with his oldest son Alan. Sid served the Springfield community as a board member of the Springfield Symphony Orchestra, the YMCA, the Sangamo Club, the Rotary Club, the United Way, and as President of Temple B'rith Sholom board of directors. Sidney was the oldest and longest active member of the YMCA, having joined at 10 years of age and continuing his exercise regimen until the age of 92. In 1986 when he and his two sons, Alan and David, sold the family businesses, Sidney obtained his teaching certificate and began a new career teaching High School at Lawrence Educational Center until the age of 84. At the age of 84 he retired from teaching to play golf at the Jacksonville Country Club and bridge at the Bridge Center with his wife Ruth, and to continue to manage the properties he and his sons own. Sid remained active in the community until his decease and participated in the Military Officers Association meetings. He was preceded in death by his wife of 70 years Ruth Goldman. His younger brother Robert Goldman preceded him as well. He is survived by his sons Alan Goldman of Milwaukee, Wisconsin [wife Riv and son Michael and daughter Emily] and David Goldman of Jacksonville, Illinois [wife Rhonda]. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2017 from 9 am until time of the funeral service at 10 am at Bisch and Son Funeral Home 505 E Allen, Springfield. Rabbi Michael Datz will officiate the service. A private graveside service at Oak Ridge Cemetery will follow.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Temple B'rith Sholom or to The Sidney and Ruth Goldman Cancer Fund at S.I.U. School of Medicine.
Please visit the online obituary at www.bischandsonfuneralhome.com where tributes and condolences may be left for the family.