I write most of the obituary stories that appear in the Jewish Light, and try to strike a balance between good journalism and a personal relationship whenever possible. The obituary of Ernest Glenn “Buddy” Goldstein, who served as advertising manager of the St. Louis Jewish Light, just cannot be in any way impersonal. Buddy Goldstein, 86, who died Nov. 26 after a heroic battle with cancer, was a much beloved and admired person, co-worker, professional colleague and friend.

During his 33 years of dedicated service to the St. Louis Jewish Light, Mr. Goldstein endeared himself to his colleagues and to the many advertising clients he secured for the paper. He was beloved for his unique combination of creative genius and as a kind and gentle human being—a true mensch, in the words of so many who had the privilege of knowing him.

Mr. Goldstein joined the staff of the Jewish Light in 1967, serving as a key salesperson on a staff that was headed by the late General Manager Morris Silverman.  When Mr. Silverman died in October 1970, Buddy and I found ourselves in charge of a complex and highly sensitive job for which we were largely unprepared.  I can write and Buddy could sell, but working for the Jewish community has its own set of challenges.

Our very first day on the job, Buddy proudly showed me the first full-page ad of our new tenure.  We were of course delighted, but little did we know that the client was a fierce perfectionist who insisted that Buddy redesign the ad at least 15 times. Suffice it to say, it tried the patience of Buddy, who never lost his cool or his temper in all 33 years of his service.

Our joke was that our first “fight” would happen “next week,” but of course it never happened in all those years.

When I share with former staff and board members of the Jewish Light and community at large, the words used to describe Goldstein were heartfelt and grateful. Former executive editor Carol Lundgren said, “Buddy was one of the kindest men I ever met. I always will remember his sense of humor, his compassion and his devotion to his family.”

Similar expressions of sadness and admiration were shared by former Jewish Light staffers Linda Mantle, Alice Cass, Anna Yahl, Peggy Northcott, Denise Bogard, Meg Crane, Susan Cohen,  Jakki Savan, and Nancy Myers, several of whom attended his funeral at Berger Memorial Chapel, where Rabbi Jeffrey Stiffman officiated.  

In his eulogy, Stiffman said, “Buddy was a uniquely talented man who made many friends.  But his family was always his first love. He told me that his grandfather, an Orthodox rabbi, was a man who helped shape his spirit.  He loved his career, even beginning his career in the family business.”

Stiffman added, “His greatest love was his [wife] Carole. He was so smitten with her that he asked her to marry him on their first date.  They shared a loving marriage of 60  years. He was so proud of her career, of her decades-long fight with illness and strength of will.”

Ernest Glenn “Buddy” Goldstein was born in St. Louis on Sept. 12, 1932, the son of the late Simon and Sophie (Weiss) Goldstein. 

His daughter, Linda, told the Jewish Light that Goldstein was amused that his given initials were EGG, and that he never liked his given first name of Ernest because people would call him “Ernie.”

He was a 1951 graduate of University City High School, and attended classes at Washington University before enlisting in the Army in 1953, and serving until 1955, during part of the Korean War.

Goldstein was married for 60 years to the late Carole Malorius Goldstein.  They had four children, Gary (Judi) Goldstein, Linda (Michael) Austrin; Ronald (Tricia) Goldstein; and Richard (Melanie) Goldstein; nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Following the service at Berger Chapel, burial was at the Beth Hamedrosh Hagodol Cemetery on Ladue Road.

Memorial contributions preferred to the American Cancer Society.