Philanthropist Richard Goldman dies at 90

Richard Goldman, one of the most influential Jewish philanthropists in the country, died early Monday morning in his native San Francisco. He was 90.

His funeral is tentatively scheduled for Friday at Congregation Emanu-El in San Francisco.

As co-founder of the Richard and Rhoda Goldman Fund, Goldman oversaw a billion-dollar philanthropic enterprise that strengthened Jewish life in the Bay Area and Israel, giving many millions to such institutions as Rhoda Goldman Plaza and the Jewish Community Center of San Francisco.

The fund also focused on a range of broader issues, from the arts to San Francisco beautification projects, from combating hunger to protecting the environment. Since 1990, the annual Goldman Environmental Prize has honored grassroots environmentalists from around the world, and remains the most prestigious award of its kind.

Goldman is survived by his sons, John Goldman and Doug Goldman, and daughter, Susan Gelman. A fourth child, Richard Goldman, died of cancer in 1989. Goldman was predeceased by his wife, Rhoda, in 1996.