Herbert Ira Goulder

Herbert Ira Goulder, born on May 15, 1937, to the late Irene Levine Goulder and Adolph (Putty) Goulder, passed away at the age of 88 on Sunday, October 26th after a valiant, determined, remarkable twenty plus year battle with Parkinson’s disease. Raised in Shaker Heights, Ohio, Herb graduated from Shaker Heights High School in 1955, Amherst College (Amherst, MA) in 1959 and Case Western School of Law in 1963.

Herbert worked as an attorney in his own law firm and transitioned into commercial and residential real estate and land development primarily in Cleveland and Florida. He took great pride, as well, in his involvement with his family businesses, including the Doan Electric Company and APG Electric, initially founded by his father Adolph Putty Goulder. He briefly spent time in the insurance business as well.

He was a proud member of The Temple Tifereth-Israel and enjoyed incredible Temple led tours to Israel and Eastern Europe. He appreciated the joys of travelling and learning about the history, culture and arts of the places he explored throughout Europe and the US, including a favorite river rafting camping trip down the Grand Canyon with his cherished dear friend, Ab Glickman and their college graduating sons Eric and Matt, respectfully. He searched for and found his ancestors’ graves in rural Slovakia atop a gypsy hill, with sons Eric and Steve. He was a member of Beechmont Country Club. He loved to garden, exercise at the J and later in life, during pre-Covid, received much Parkinson’s support at InMotion. He was a resident at Wiggins and ultimately at Eliza of Chagrin Falls, where he shared his love of mint chocolate chip ice cream with his two sons during their last collective visit.

From Blood Sweat and Tears to Erik Satie, he loved music, was a Cleveland Orchestra season ticket holder, and knew the value of the arts and humanities. He enjoyed rooting for Cleveland sports teams, particularly the Cavaliers, and enjoyed college football and basketball. He was incredibly intelligent and a trivia master. He appreciated a liberal arts education and recognized the importance of science, knowledge, medicine, empathy and kindness in creating life fulfillment and good citizenship. Herb was a great role model with a big heart. He was a good listener and solid advice giver. He was an honest man with a selfless sense of duty to family and those less fortunate. Numerous charities benefited from his generous philanthropy, many of which were anonymously donated. He cared about the environment, animal rights, human rights and worked to protect the dignity of those in need. He believed strongly in Jewish values of community and social justice and served as the President of the Jewish Family Service Association leading the wonderful organization in its mission of helping others. He feared the tragedy of leaving us in a world with less humanity, intelligence, kindness, dignity and honesty than the pre-World War II world in which he entered.

Herb had an incredible number of close life-long friends with whom he travelled, played golf and shared great meals, theater, concerts and laughs. The duration and durability of these friendships speak volumes about him and those with whom he shared his life.

His brave battle against Parkinson’s progressive dismantling of the body was truly remarkable. It never stole his moral fabric or ethics. He is a survivor and a fighter. When eye disease stole his vision and he became blind, he never complained. He adapted and persisted. He was incredibly lucky to have the help and assistance of several aides including Monique Goard, Kim Harris, Debora Williams and Geoffrey Hayles. Their work is that of heroes and the family is truly grateful. The care he received, and friendships made with these wonderful people is one full of much gratitude and admiration.

Of course, Herb’s main joy was found in his family. His passing marks the close of an incredible generation of siblings. He is survived by sister-in-law Joan Goulder. He is preceded in death by siblings Morton (Claire), Albert (Judy), Edmond (married to Joan), Elise Kirschenbaum (Doovy), Rose Rubin (Melvin) and Serene Shaper (Robert). He is survived by 25 immediate nephews and nieces who brought him much happiness and generosity, and countless cousins, great nieces and great nephews. He cherished regular Friday night multigenerational family dinners at his childhood home on Eaton Road in Shaker Heights. Herb was first married to Judy Stark with whom he had daughter Laura and son Eric (Dana). The marriage ended in amicable divorce. Herb was tragically preceded in death by his loving wife Terry Kochman Goulder, whose sudden, unexpected loss brought incredible sadness, as the family’s matriarch. Herb is survived by daughter Laura, son Eric (Dana), daughter Sara and son Steven (Sasha). He is grandpa to granddaughter Eva (daughter to Eric and Dana) and Poppa to grandson Meir (son to Sasha and Steve). He was so loved by his children and grandchildren who find such inspiration in his will to live and gentle kindness. Herb cherished his children and grandchildren. They brought him much love, immense pride and a driving determined thirst for life.

Graveside services will be held on Friday October 31st at Mayfield Cemetery 2749 Mayfield Road Cleveland Heights, OH 44106 at 10:00. A Celebration of his life will follow at a date in the future.

Donations in honor of Herb’s incredible life of dignity may be made to InMotion (www.beinmotion.org) to support those with Parkinson’s disease and the Jewish Family Service Association (www.jfsa-cleveland.org).

Arrangements were entrusted to Berkowitz-Kumin-Bookatz Memorial Chapel.