Erwin Lewis Goldfine

Erwin Lewis Goldfine

Erwin Goldfine Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Dec. 27, 2002.
Erwin Lewis Goldfine, 79, a lifelong resident of Duluth, died Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2002, with his family at his side, at his winter home in Scottsdale, Ariz. Erwin was born in Duluth on September 25, 1923, to Abraham and Fannie Goldfine, European immigrants who arrived in the US as children. Erwin's parents began trading livestock in Duluth and eventually opened Goldfine's Trading Post on Garfield Avenue in 1937. Erwin and his brother, Monnie, began working with their parents in the business as teenagers during the Great Depression and the two brothers continued working together until Erwin's death. He graduated from Duluth Central High School in 1941, attended the University of Minnesota and enlisted in the Army Air Corp on Dec. 7, 1942. He served in North Africa, Sicily, and Italy before returning to Duluth in 1945. While visiting his brother Monnie at the University of Minnesota, Erwin met Beverly Betten. They were married on September 1, 1946, and have been together for 57 years. Erwin continued his career at Goldfine's Trading Post, which had now expanded to feature general merchandise, groceries, furniture, appliances and farm implements. He was responsible for the furniture department. After his father passed away in 1950, his mother Fannie, took over management of the business, gradually relinquishing management to Erwin and Monnie. During the 1950's, the business became the area's largest furniture, carpet and appliance store. The Goldfine's expanded even further with construction of one of the nation's first discount stores, Goldfine's by the Bridge, which opened in the summer of 1962, (the same summer Target, Kmart and Wal-Mart first opened similar discount stores). Unlike the other discounters, however, Goldfine's continued to feature furniture, carpet, appliances and power sports equipment in addition to general merchandise. Goldfine's by the Bridge grew to become the region's largest retailer in retail volume and physical size. In 1970, Goldfine's merged with Unishops, Inc., a publicly traded company, and Erwin was named President, and later Chairman, of the Goldfine's Division. Stores were opened in Grand Rapids, Mankato, Willmar, Sioux City and Des Moines.The parent company, Unishops, ran into financial difficulties in the late 1970's which forced Goldfine's to close. Erwin and Monnie then formed Zenith Management Company to manage three motels in the Twin Ports area they had previously acquired and future planned holdings in the hospitality industry.The company greatly expanded over the years, and by 2000 ZMC Hotels operated 40 hospitality businesses in 18 states and employed 2,000 people. Erwin and Monnie passed their family business to the next Goldfine generation when three of their children assumed ownership of the company in 2001. Erwin remained active as a consultant until last month. Erwin was also extremely active in the community he cherished, especially in higher education. He was chairman of the committee that raised funds to establish a medical school at the University of Minnesota, Duluth (UMD). He was a past chair of the Minnesota Higher Education Coordinating Committee and he was elected and proud to serve our region as a Regent of the University of Minnesota for 12 years, from 1975 to 1987. He also served on the board of the University of Minnesota Foundation. UMD acknowledged Erwin's long time service to the university by naming the Goldfine Residence Hall in his honor. He and his wife Beverly established the Beverly and Erwin Goldfine Scholarship for Academic Excellence at UMD. They were bestowed with Honoree Doctor of Law Degrees from UMD in 1999. Erwin was also honored that year by the Minnesota Education Association for his contributions to higher education in Minnesota. Erwin was a lifelong Democrat and very active in the Minnesota DFL Party. He was a past President of Temple Emanuel Synagogue and the Duluth Jewish Federation as well as a regional officer in B'nai Brith. He was an active member of Temple Israel congregation. He was involved in literally dozens of community organizations. He was a founder of the Duluth Convention and Visitor's Bureau, a member of the Executive Committee of the Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce and the Hillside Loafers. He loved sports and golf and was active in many sporting organizations. In addition to his many business and civic accomplishments, Erwin was well known as 'a really nice guy'. He was always willing to lend advice and to help whoever asked him. He is preceded in death by his parents, Abraham Goldfine and Fannie Benton. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Beverly; four children Steve (Ilene Levin) and John (Donde) of Duluth, Amy and Dan (Robbie Schwartz) of Scottsdale, Ariz.; a brother and sister-in-law Manley and Lillian Goldfine of Duluth; a sister and brother-in-law, Sandra and Leon Weiner of Houston, Texas, and in-laws Helen and Herman Robitshek of Gulf Port, Fla.; grandchildren Ted, Fia, Ariel, and Jonah Goldfine.; and many close friends. SERVICES 1 p.m, Sunday, at the Marshall Performing Arts Center on the University of Minnesota, Duluth (UMD) campus. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Beverly and Erwin Goldfine Scholarship for Academic Excellence at UMD or to the Erwin Goldfine Memorial Fund at Temple Israel would be appreciated. Arrangements by the Dougherty Funeral Home.

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December 31, 2002

Dave & Nancy Casey posted to the memorial.

December 31, 2002

SARA [KARON] KESSLER posted to the memorial.

December 30, 2002

WIILLAM AND MARCIA berman posted to the memorial.

Dave & Nancy Casey

December 31, 2002

Our sympathies extend to Beverly and the family. A truly fine gentleman has left us. Rest in Peace Erv.

SARA [KARON] KESSLER

December 31, 2002

Condolences to Irwin's family & friends. His many gifts to Duluth & all the rest will forever be cherished.

WIILLAM AND MARCIA berman

December 30, 2002

STILL IN NEW MEXICO, JUST FOUND OUT, SO SORRY, SEND OUR LOVE



MARCIA AND BILL

Suzon (Karon) Gordon

December 30, 2002

Sincerest condolences to the family. The memory of the righteous, such as Erwin, will be for blessing.

Suzon and David Gordon

Muriel and Dick Abram

December 29, 2002

We are saddened not be with you all today..but from Boca Raton, we are thinking of Erwin, how much we will miss him. He was as close as any member of our family...He was a key part of our wonderful quality of life in Duluth...he will forever be a part of our and our childrens lives...We learned much from him and it will continue to guide us in the years to come. Love muriel and dick.

Harold & Audree Singer

December 28, 2002

Friends are our greatest treasure.

We are deminished by the loss of a

good friend whom we knew for all our years in Duluth and Florida



Harold & Audree Singer

Terry Ridinger

December 28, 2002

To the Goldfine family,



I met Erv and his brother while working at channel 10 TV during my college days at UMD. They both had such a good sense of humor. I've been gone from Duluth for over 30 years but still go back to Duluth in the summers.

The nostalgia when back in Duluth is amazing to me. The Goldfines were always a big part of the Duluth scene. When going to Superior I always show my children where Goldfine's used to be!

Erv will be missed by more people than just his immediate family.

He was a big force in turning Duluth around from an industrial area to a tourist area.

Thanks for your life's work Erv.

P.S. I see the Goldfine name on real estate signs in Sanford FL, any relation?

Gene Sisto

December 28, 2002

Our sincere condolences to the entire Goldfine family on the loss of a great man and an overall "good guy".



Gene & Laurie Sisto

Lake Havasu City,AZ

JOCK SWANSTROM

December 27, 2002

I remember in the early 1950's Erv and Monnie generously gave us as kids some baseball equipment for our youth team. They both are an institution in Duluth.

Frank Holappa

December 27, 2002

One of my favorite people. A modest, quiet but highly influential man whose efforts touched so many us. Erv will be missed by everyone who knew him.

Gloria Vitullo

December 27, 2002

Our deepest condolences to Beverly, Monnie, Steve, John, Dan, Amy and their families. Erv was a pillar of the Duluth community and will be sorely missed by all. He had a great sense of humor and was a friend to us all.



Dick & Gloria Vitullo

John Staver

December 27, 2002

What a loss! I was greatly saddened to learn the news about Erv.



He truly was a wonderful, kind and generous man. You hope that during your lifetime you are able to have as a friend a person like Erv. I was lucky enough to be such a friend. Rest in peace old friend.

Steve & Shari Fritz

December 27, 2002

Our condolences on your loss. I have warm memories of Erwin's guidance during my adolescent years with Dan. I am a better person for knowing him.

Arlene Lehto

December 27, 2002

Loving thoughts are with you and the entire family. I'll always remember your political support, the boat rides, your wonderful UMD Alumni get-togethers and the joy and honors Erv and the family brought to the community.

Helen & Earl COOK

December 27, 2002

Duluth may never recover from losing such a bulwark as Erwin. We sincerely hope that our Duluth and UMD are strong enough to endure. God bless the Goldfine family.

Richard, Edna&Kelsey Krull

December 27, 2002

It was a privilege to know Erwin. Our heartfelt sorrow to his family

george lehner

December 27, 2002

You are missed by so many--may God take you home--you are love.

Paul & Elda Westergard

December 27, 2002

Erwin will be greatly missed by us all! He was most generous of his time and effort in so many public and worthwhile projects. Our deepest sympathy to Beverly and family.

Brenda Kimlinger

December 27, 2002

When I graduated from UMD in 1983, I was also working at the Holiday Inn. Erwin was quite involved in the hotel at that time. I learned that he would be handing out diplomas at the commencement ceremony and I asked him if he could give me mine. He arranged it, and as I crossed the state to accept my diploma, he handed it to me and gave me a kiss and a hug. That has always meant so much to me.

Jack Zeleznikar

December 27, 2002

To my old Central & DJC classmate,

May he rest in Peace!

Marion & Jerry Eisenberg & Family

December 27, 2002

God bless Erwin and your lovely family....he was a treasure, so kind to EVERYONE...always..we have nice memories of a very interesting person...Amen.

Joe Gaylord

December 27, 2002

On behalf of myself and the entire Gaylord family I wish to express our condolences for the loss of such a great man. We are truly sorry for your loss.

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Sign Erwin Goldfine's Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

December 31, 2002

Dave & Nancy Casey posted to the memorial.

December 31, 2002

SARA [KARON] KESSLER posted to the memorial.

December 30, 2002

WIILLAM AND MARCIA berman posted to the memorial.