Dr. Richard Laurence Goldfarb

Dr. Richard Laurence Goldfarb, 71, Bradenton, formerly of New York City and Toronto, died July 14, 2007, of leukemia. Survivors include his loving wife of 33 years, Susan; their daughter, Paris Rose; a son, James Goldfarb and daughter, Laura Sturm, both from a previous marriage; his older brother, Robert Goldfarb, his wife, Muriel; and his parents-in-law, Jim and Rose Skorayko of Toronto. He was born in New York City. He was a veteran of the Army and served as a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne from 1955-1958. He earned a B.A. and M.A. from Columbia University, and was awarded a fellowship at Northwestern University, where he received his Ph.D. in modern English literature. He taught at Northwestern and then joined the faculty of York University in Toronto, Canada, where he became an associate professor. He graduated from the Gestalt Institute of Toronto as a Gestalt therapist and was in private practice for five years. He returned to teaching in 1985 when he joined the English department at Manatee Community College in Bradenton, where he became a full professor and chairman of the department. He published two books, ''Cliffs CLAST Preparation Guide'' and ''Bluff Your Way in Psychology.'' After retirement from MCC in 1999, he donated his time assisting his wife, executive director of The Longboat Key Education Center, as the curriculum director, in addition to giving annual poetry lectures. He was brilliant, passionate and brave. He shall be missed beyond all measure. A memorial will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to TideWell Hospice of Bradenton.