Alan Marvin Goldberg was surrounded by love when he took his last breath on June 9 at age 86. Alan’s brilliant mind, compassionate soul and love for a good feast (especially one that was sustainably sourced) will be deeply missed and forever celebrated by all who knew him.
Born in New York on Nov. 20, 1939, to Celia Rudman and William (z”l) Goldberg, and grew up alongside his sister Eleanor Leff (z”l). He obtained his undergraduate degree from Brooklyn College of Pharmacy before earning his Ph.D. in pharmacology from the University of Minnesota. Throughout his lifetime and the 53 years spent at Johns Hopkins University, Alan worked to better the world for all living creatures, big and small. Dr. Goldberg was a professor of toxicology, educator to the NBA about HIV, the founding director and chairman of the Board of the Johns Hopkins Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing, and Pew commissioner on the impact of industrial farm animal production. He was the founder of the World Congress on Alternatives to Animal Testing and had over 200 publications.
Even with a career full of bettering the world, Alan delayed retirement to lead the Johns Hopkins Department of Environmental Health and Engineering’s Inclusion, Diversity, Anti-Racism and Equity initiative. His many honors and awards include receiving the first Russell and Burch Award from the Humane Society of the United States (1991), Enhancement of Animal Welfare Award (2002) and Doerenkamp-Zbinden Foundation Award (2001) from the Society of Toxicology. Alan was identified as an Ambassador of Compassion and celebrated at the American Visionary Art Museum (2021).
Alan’s greatest legacy was his family and expansive network of friends. He shared a beautiful, enduring 70-year love story with his beloved wife, Helene. He was a magnificent, supportive father to Michael Goldberg, Naomi (Adam) Schmuckler and Alex (Wendy) Menkes. He was also the proudest grandfather to Gavin, Rachel, Harrison, Madeline and Emma. Alan had deep, lasting friendships that circled the globe. Donations in Alan’s honor can be made to The Contemporary American Theatre Festival or Riderwood Senior Living Scholarship Fund. Services entrusted to Sagel Bloomfield Danzansky Goldberg Funeral Care.
