Daniel T. Goldberg

Daniel T. Goldberg

Passed peacefully with family by his side on May 16, 2014, at age 98. He was the last family member of his generation. 

Born in 1915 amidst the strife of WWI Lithuania, he immigrated in 1921 with his mother and four older siblings, and moved to San Francisco in 1926. He graduated Commerce High School, UC Berkeley, and Boalt Hall. 

After a short stint with the new Social Security Administration in Wash., D.C., he returned to San Francisco and worked for the Hebrew Free Loan Assn., launching a 50 year career in community service. He also served on the Board of Temple Emanu-El, Sinai Memorial Chapel, San Francisco Humanities, and as President of the Jewish Community Relations Council. 

He opened his law practice in 1949, becoming a highly respected attorney until his retirement at age 85. Also in 1949 he married the love of his life Tanette Westerman, who he met on a blind date. They were as powerfully devoted to their four children as they were to each other. Their home became the family center for important celebrations and milestone life events. Large Passover Seders were central to this tradition, creating cherished memories for the many family and friends who experienced them. Dan and Tanette lived together harmoniously for 63 years. He was her primary health care giver her last years, which he considered an honor. 

Charming, witty and fun-loving, Dan was a true gentleman, known for clever puns and huge song repertoire. When locked in the Wells Fargo Bank vault for 40 hours (memorialized in Herb Caen's final column) he listed the alphabet, selected songs for each letter, and sang them. In later years, he began each day singing. His voice continued strong and pleasant his entire life. At age 90 he thrilled an audience of 200, performing songs in Yiddish with his daughter Kayla. 

He is survived by a large and loving family: Daughter Dena and husband John, son Lawrence and wife Philleen, son Steve and fiancé Linda, daughter Kayla and close friend Jordan; grandchildren Ashley, Rachel, Sarah, Daniel, Adam and Rebecca; niece Patty, nephews Alan and Kenneth, their children and their children's families, and many of the Westerman clan, especially Arne and Marty with whom he was very close. 

Dan lived a wonderful life. He wanted everyone to celebrate life, not to mourn it. Among his last words were: "Have fun, no matter what." He was smiling and joking to the end. He believed in living each moment to its fullest, because counting your time is less important than making your time count. The inspiration of his life lives in all of us forever. 

Funeral Services will be held Thursday, May 22, 2014, at 11:00 AM at SINAI MEMORIAL CHAPEL, 1501 Divisadero St. at Geary, SF, followed by interment at Home of Peace Cemetery, 1299 El Camino Real, Colma.  Gifts in memory of Daniel can be made to: Hebrew Free Loan Association, Sinai Memorial Chapel, Temple Emanu-El, or the Jewish Community Relations Council.