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Tenured SUPA professor dies

Written by Andrew Vaughan, Contributor to The Shorthorn

Monday, 01 June 2009 06:26 PM

Joel Goldsteen, School of Urban and Public Affairs professor

School of Urban and Public Affairs faculty and students have lost an old friend in Joel Goldsteen.

The SUPA professor and “founding father” of the City and Regional Planning program died May 19 after battling cancer.

“Joel was considered top faculty,” former SUPA dean Richard Cole said. “We lost a key player.”

With more than 30 years tenure as a professor in SUPA, Goldsteen was a founding member, chairman and director of the City and Regional Planning program in 1976. There are only three of these programs in Texas today.

“Joel’s great contribution was doing whatever it took to bring us the masters in city and public planning,” Cole said. “His death leaves a big hole in the planning program. Saying goodbye to a senior member like this just hurts.”

Cole described Goldsteen as a “prolific scholar.” Goldsteen published more than 50 works on planning and urban design. In 2002 he was awarded the Gold Medal for Architecture, a President’s award and considered one of the highest achievable awards in architecture. He held more than 40 years of professional experience in his field of study.

Assistant to the SUPA dean Robert Wegner described Goldsteen’s professional career as impressive and professional.

“The remarkable thing about Joel’s career was his status as the first Director of the City and Regional Planning program,” he said. “I mean he had been there since the beginning.”

Wegner said Goldsteen had been in hospice care for almost a year before he passed away. Friends who visited during his final weeks said he looked healthy, and though unable to speak, was alert and smiling.

Goldsteen is survived by his wife Eileen and his two children. Services were held on May 24 at Sparkman Hillcrest Funeral Home. Any memorial donations can be made to the Dallas Jewish Family Services.

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Last Updated ( Thursday, 20 August 2009 10:31 AM )

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