Carl Goldschmidt

Dr. Carl Otto Goldschmidt

Lexington, Kentucky

Dr. Carl Otto Goldschmidt, 87, formerly of East Lansing, MI, passed away on January 31, 2015.

He was the only child of the late Martin and Mary Goldschmidt, born March 31, 1927, in Hamburg, Germany. As Jewish life in Hamburg became more difficult, Carl and his parents immigrated to the United States in 1939. Carl graduated from George Washington High School in 1945, and received bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of California in Berkeley. He was awarded a doctorate in Philosophy from the University of Pittsburgh in 1970. Carl and Jean Jacobsen were married in 1950, and they lived together in San Francisco, East Lansing, Pittsburgh, Scottsdale, and Lexington.

Dr. Goldschmidt joined the faculty at Michigan State University in 1956, and was an integral part of the College of Social Science. In 1973, he was appointed director of the School of Urban Planning and Landscape Architecture. While at Michigan State, he was awarded Fulbright Scholarships in Tel Aviv, Israel and in Dortmund, Germany. The Carl Goldschmidt International Studies Fund was established for Urban Planning students at Michigan State.

For over 40 years, Carl led efforts to improve the profession and the teaching of planning. He helped to create both the Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning (ACSP), and the Planning Accreditation Board (PAB), and for years was active in the accomplishments of both. In recognition of his achievements, Dr. Goldschmidt was elected as a Fellow of the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) in 1999, one of the highest honors AICP bestows upon a member. In these and other capacities, he served as teacher and mentor to generations of planning students, both in this country and abroad.

Carl and Jean were enthusiastic global travelers, as well as long-time supporters of the Greater Lansing Symphony Orchestra. Carl and Jean also held numerous leadership positions at Congregation Shaarey Zedek in East Lansing, and were active members of the Lansing Jewish community.

After retiring in Scottsdale, Carl and Jean relocated to Lexington to be near family. He is survived by his wife Jean and four children; Carol (Ron) Hustedde of Lexington; Linda (Jim) Marshall of Safety Harbor, Florida; David (Jamie) Goldschmidt of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan and Alisa Goldschmidt of Louisville, Colorado. He was a devoted grandfather to Christopher Marshall, Adrian Marshall, Michael Hustedde, Anna Goldschmidt and Emma Goldschmidt.

The funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 5, 2015, at Congregation Shaarey Zedek in East Lansing. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger, at www.mazon.org. Arrangements are by the Estes-Leadley Funeral Homes.