Nelson L. Goldberg

GOLDBERG
NELSON L.
Nelson L. Goldberg, an innovator, pioneer and visionary in the telecommunications industry, died Sunday, September 25, 2005, at the age of 76. Goldberg, the son of the late Edward and Fannie Menzer Goldberg, was a native of New Kensington, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Arnold High and then Pennsylvania State University in 1956. He served in the United States Army during the Korean War. Born of humble beginnings in 1930, he led an extraordinary life that touched countless people. Goldberg's career began in radio sales at WKPA-AM in New Kensington. In 1958, Goldberg became General Manager of WKPA and then purchased the station in 1961. Goldberg acquired WYDD-FM in 1963 and operated the radio stations for more than 25 years. WYDD was the first radio station to offer an all jazz format and Goldberg developed and promoted Jazz Horizons, Pittsburgh's first jazz concert series that featured jazz legends such as Dizzy Gillespie, Dave Brubeck and Nina Simone. Goldberg developed WEFB-TV (TV3) and Westmoreland Cable in 1968, one of the first cable franchises in western Pennsylvania. The cable system was later sold to Comcast Corporation. Further establishing himself at the forefront of telecommunications and technology, Goldberg founded Mass Communications and Management and Total Communications Systems (TCS). TCS was at one point heralded as the largest independently owned television production company in the country. Among the company's achievements were the first pay-per-view broadcast of a sporting event (a Penn State vs. Cincinnati football game); syndicated broadcasts of Penn State, Notre Dame and Big Ten football; the first nationally syndicated college football highlight show (The Penn State Story); in 1981, the introduction of the largest and most sophisticated mobile television facility in the industry that was used to televise hundreds of events, including Super Bowls and Olympic broadcasts. He also developed the Meadows Racing Network (now Ladbroke Racing Network). Goldberg's experience in sports broadcasting also led to a secondary career in sports marketing and representation, working with former NFL players such as Tony Dorsett, Jimmy Cefalo, Terry Bradshaw, and Matt Bahr. In the 1980's, Goldberg was the first to privately own satellite transponders and perceptively anticipated the advent of commercial television satellite broadcasting. Throughout his career, he continuously broke ground in developing new kinds of broadcast programming and the manner in which they were transmitted. Goldberg was extremely devoted to his family. He was a member of the former Beth Jacob Synagogue in New Kensington, The New York City Friars Club, and was an active supporter of the United Jewish Federation and Pi Lambda Phi fraternity. In addition to his professional ties to Penn State, Mr. Goldberg was a generous and loyal supporter of the University. He had football season tickets for over 30 years and enjoyed attending games. Mr. Goldberg was married in 1964 to Marsha Gold of Toronto, Ontario. He is the beloved father of Fred Goldberg of Toronto, Ontario, Brad (Lara) Goldberg of Las Vegas, Nevada and Eric (Beth) Goldberg of Pittsburgh; brother of Melvin (Seena) Goldberg of Boca Raton, Florida; grandfather of Addison and Spencer Goldberg and uncle and great uncle to a host of nephews and nieces. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother and sister-in-law, Herbert and Freda Goldberg. Services were held at RALPH SCHUGAR CHAPEL, INC. 5509 Centre Ave., Shadyside. Interment Beth Jacob Cemetery, New Kensington. The family requests donations be made to: Penn State University, c/o Nelson L. Goldberg Endowed Football Scholarship, 157 Bryce Jordan Center, University Park, PA 16802. 814-865-9462.
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