Roger Henry Goldberg, of Ada, OH, passed away on June 12, 2022, at the age of 76. Roger was born in Manhattan, New York City to Nathan and Charlotte (Geiger) Goldberg on July 13, 1945. He is predeceased by his father and mother. Roger is survived by his loving wife Beth, brother Richard and sister-in-law Bonnie, son Nathan and daughter-in-law Leah, daughter Erin and son-in-law Brett, son Colton, step-daughter, Sarah and son-in-law Rollin, and step-daughter, Tiffany. Roger is also survived by grandchildren Charlotte, Henry, Eli, Cecilia, Ethan, Benjamin, Darnell, Romeo, and Bronson.
Roger grew up on Long Island, NY and graduated from Oceanside High School, where he excelled academically and was a member of the tennis team. He worked as a Good Humor ice cream vendor during the summers and enjoyed the Long Beach area with his family. Roger matriculated to Cornell University where he earned his B.A. degree in economics and was a member of Young Israel. Roger subsequently obtained a master’s degree and Ph.D. in economics from Indiana University (which led quickly to a love of Hoosier basketball).
In 1969 Roger accepted a job teaching economics at Ohio Northern University and moved to Ada, OH where he would live the rest of his life. Roger was active as a faculty member and an administrator, playing a leadership role in the establishment of a college of business administration at ONU in 1979. Roger was a beloved professor and mentor by many of the thousands of students he taught, remembered as firm but fair, and after retirement in 2010 was awarded associate vice president of academic affairs, emeritus, and professor of economics, emeritus in 2011. He was an inaugural recipient of the ONU Pinnacle Award in 2012 which celebrates leadership and legacy to Ohio Northern University. Roger was happy to provide opportunities for his family to enjoy the culture at ONU including Polar Bear Athletics, theater and shows at the Performing Arts Center, and during the summer months for many years they greatly enjoyed Friday night new student orientation picnics. During his early retirement years, Roger and Beth loved to spend time at the beach in South Carolina. Roger was passionate in his support for Ada Bulldog and Polar Bear athletics, and enthusiastically attended almost all home and away games for the Bulldogs during the years his children participated, and then continued to root the Bulldogs on as long as his health allowed. Roger’s love of sports was well known to his friends, as he loved to follow his San Francisco Giants, New York Giants, and Detroit Pistons. Beyond ONU he served the broader community through the Midwest and American Economics Associations and served as President of the Ohio Association of Economists and Political Scientists. Roger attended the Temple Beth Israel-Shaare Zedek in Lima, Ohio.
Roger is remembered as a loving husband, father, and friend who looked out for others before himself. He was a wonderful role model to his children, supporting them and encouraging them to pursue new and exciting experiences, adventures, and ultimately their dreams. Roger’s family extends their sincere thank you to his nurses and aides at Vancrest of Ada. Roger is badly missed by those who knew and loved him.
A public graveside service will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 15, 2022, at Woodlawn Cemetery, Ada with Rabbi Jonathan Jackson officiating.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Roger’s name to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society or the Dr. Roger H. Goldberg Endowed Business Scholarship for students at Ohio Northern University.
