Search Results

GOLDSMITH -- Richard Atwood Goldsmith, 80, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather left us on June 17, 2009 after a long struggle with Parkinson's disease. Dick was born in Syracuse, NY in 1929 and was raised in Central Square, NY. When he was 15, Dick visited the Southwest with friends and became captivated by the scenery, culture, and people. After attending nursing school, he developed a crush on his supervisor, Claire York, at Bellevue Hospital in New York City. In 1951, Dick married Claire in Jamaica, Queens, NY. They started a family in Rochester, NY and Dick completed his anesthesia training. Dick's fascination with the Southwest, as well as his desire to help underserved populations, drew him to New Mexico. In 1961, the family moved to Silver City and Dick was one of the few nurse anesthetists in southern New Mexico. Dick practiced anesthesia for over 50 years, and over 40 years in Grant County. Aside from working in local hospitals, he was a founder and partner in Silver Anesthetists. As the owner of J & D Oxygen Services, he sometimes personally delivered oxygen and other medical needs to his clients as far away as Reserve and Lordsburg. Dick served several terms on the Silver City Town Council and the Silver City School Board. He was president of the Library Board for 20 years, spent 20 years as a board member of the Grant County Humane Society, served on the Board of the Gospel Mission, and donated his time to various other civic committees. Aside from his civic and professional work, Dick was an avid collector of Santa Clara Pueblo pottery, a patron to many local artists, and an early supporter of the art community in Silver City. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Claire; his daughters Cheryl Spahr, with husband Thomas, and Diane York of Albuquerque, his sons Steven Goldsmith of Rochester, Minnesota and Daniel Goldsmith of Tucson, Arizona. He is survived by brother Barry Goldsmith and wife Ruth of Charleston, South Carolina, and sisters Nancy Johnson and husband Carl of Haines City, Florida and Dorothy Van Hoesen and husband Bob of Lakeland, Florida; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He is also survived by grandchildren Richard Moran, with wife Clara Moran, Kevin Holmes, with fiance Sunny Bergh, Alison Ojanen-Goldsmith, Robyne Holmes, Benjamin Ojanen-Goldsmith, Sanna Ojanen-Goldsmith, Erin Moazzami, and step grandson Matthew Spahr, with wife Dagmar and children Olivia, Nicholas, and Fred. Survivors also include great-grandchildren Colin Jacob Dimas and Amalia Mackenzie Moran. He is predeceased by his beloved granddaughter Mackenzie Kathleen ("Katie") Moran in July, 2008. Cremation has taken place, and a Family Service will be held Graveside on Friday June 26, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. at the Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Albuquerque. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Animal Humane Association of New Mexico, 615 Virginia St. SE, Albuquerque, New Mexico, 87108 or the High Desert Humane Society, 3050 Cougar Way, Silver City, New Mexico, 88061. Please visit our online guestbook for Dick at RememberTheirStory.com French 10500 Lomas Blvd. NE (505) 275-3500
        Published on: Sun June 21, 2009