Joel Goldberg Papers

Joel Goldberg, a man who walked tall in the Atlanta community, died on November 4, 2010. Born to Rebecca and Max Goldberg in Worcester, Mass., on Feb. 19, 1925, Joel served as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy during World War II and graduated from Dartmouth College before beginning his legendary retail career at Filene's in Boston. In 1954, Joel arrived in Atlanta to work at Rich's Inc. as a women's apparel buyer and quickly grew enamored with the respected retail institution. With his keen eye for fashion and merchandising, Joel spent 30 years at Rich's Department Store, being appointed President in 1971 and then Chairman and Chief Executive Officer in 1977. Joel was passionate about Atlanta and an active participant on numerous committees, serving in a myriad of leadership positions, and receiving numerous awards and accolades. Among his proudest honors were serving as Board Chair at St. Joseph's Hospital Board and receiving the Wings of Mercy Award in 2005. Joel was recognized as a Ronald Reagan Republican Gold Medal Winner for having distinguished himself as a business leader who contributed to the economic health of his community. In addition, he received an honorary Doctorate in 2000 from Oglethorpe University, where he served as a Trustee for many years. Although Joel received numerous accolades throughout his celebrated life, he was most proud of his loving family. He is survived by Carole Brockey Goldberg, his wife of 54 years who was supportive in all of his endeavors. He was proud of his three children, Jeff, James and Debra, but his greatest joy was being a grandpa to his two cherished granddaughters, Caroline and Catherine. Other family members include his son Jeff and his wife Pamela, son James, and daughter Debra Patterson and her husband Chris; granddaughters Caroline and Catherine Patterson; sister Eleanor Needleman and sister-in-law, Phyllis Kravitz and her husband Lew and numerous nieces and nephews. Joel Goldberg died at 85 from complications of a stroke and of Alzheimer's.