Michael S. GOLDEN M.D.

Mike passed away peacefully on Jan. 17. He was born & raised in San Pedro, CA, and went on to receive his Medical Degree at UCLA. Mike began his decades of patient care by serving in the Army Medical Corp; he was stationed in Guam during the Vietnam Airlift, where he and his team helped those in need of medical treatment after they left Saigon. It was also on the beautiful Pacific Ocean waters around Guam that Mike learned to sail and found peace being on the water. His military service from 1970-1975 took him across the country to many army hospitals, including a Fellowship in Cardiovascular Disease at Walter Reed General Hospital in Washington DC. He finally landed at Madigan Army Medical Center in Tacoma, where, as a staff cardiologist, he taught interns and residents invasive and noninvasive techniques. When he was discharged from the Army, he was told by a colleague how beautiful Spokane and the surrounding lakes were, which prompted his decision to move his family to Spokane in 1975. He practiced interventional cardiology at Sacred Heart Medical Center and Deaconess Medical Center, as well as holding clinics at some of the smaller hospitals in the area. Mike maintained a private practice in Spokane until 2004 and then enjoyed doing locum tenens work until he retired in 2008. Mike was passionate about a wide array of topics, from cardiology to fine wine to windsurfing, and enjoyed skiing at Schweitzer Mt & Lookout Pass, sailing on Lake Coeur d'Alene, and most especially playing tennis. He was an active member of TAGS, (Tennis Association of Greater Spokane). He loved to teach anyone interested in any of these activities, including his kids & grandkids, hoping that they, too, would become as passionate as he was. He was very proud of his three children, Brian, Renee, and Zelig, who all became excellent skiers, tennis players, and sailors after him. He also loved being Grandpa Mike to his seven grandchildren. He was proud of being part of the Spokane medical community and was very involved in establishing the Heart Institute of Spokane. Mike had a wicked sense of humor, was generous, and held strong opinions, but most of all, he loved medicine and taking care of his patients. Even in retirement, he continued to follow the research studies in cardiology and other medical specialties as his curiosity and love of learning were insatiable. Mike and his wife Kathy spent 31 wonderful years together, and after Mike's retirement was able to take many enjoyable trips, learn about different cultures, collect local folk art, and relish the many delicacies at their destinations. A favorite place was the island of Bonaire where "Dr. Mike" was well known among the visiting and local windsurfers. They also enjoyed trips to Japan, Cuba, Costa Rica, Italy, Spain, Portugal, France, Israel, Australia, New Zealand & Iceland, as well as Tanzania for two spectacular safaris. Every year they spent their anniversary in Puerto Vallarta, often inviting friends and family to join them.Mike is survived by his loving wife, Kathy, son Dr. Brian Golden (Laini), daughter Renee Haniu (Ken), and son Rabbi Zelig Golden (Rachel), as well as grandchildren Emi, Mika, Mia, Remi, Emma, Ilana & Ezra. His cuddly cats Sambuca and Dulcinea will also dearly miss him. Funeral services will be held at Mt. Nebo Cemetery, 501 Government Way, Spokane, at 11:00 on Wednesday, Jan. 19. Donations may be made to Temple Beth Shalom at www.spokanetbs.org. African Conservation Centre US www.accafrica-us.org or to Wilderness Torah www.wildernesstorah.org.