Ignacy Goldberg, Internationally Known Expert on Disabilities, Dies at 85
Ignacy Goldberg, Professor Emeritus of Education, one of the foremost educators in the United States and across the world in the field of special education, died June 2, 2001, in Hollywood, Florida. He was 85 years old.
Ignacy Goldberg, Professor Emeritus of Education, one of the foremost educators in the United States and across the world in the field of special education, died June 2, 2001, in Hollywood, Florida. He was 85 years old.
A native of Warsaw, Poland, and a war hero, Professor Goldberg held the Magister Philosophiae in English Philosophy from the University of Warsaw, Poland (1938), Master of Arts (1949) and Doctor of Education (1952) degrees from Teachers College, and an honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters from the University of Colorado (1982).Professor Goldberg served with the Polish Carpathian Brigade in World War II in the Middle East. He was severely wounded and permanently disabled during the siege of Tobruk, Lybia, in 1941 and awarded the Cross of Valor, one of Poland's highest military decorations.
A member of the TC faculty since 1957, Professor Goldberg was also the Coordinator of Mental Retardation Program in the Department of Special Education.
He was the author and co-author of more than 70 books, book chapters, articles and monographs. He authored The Bibliography of Selected References in Special Education; and co-authored Right to Education: Anatomy of the Pennsylvania Case and its Implications.
As Secretary of the International Association for the Scientific Study of Mental Deficiency (1965-66) and as an international lecturer and consultant, he encouraged nations throughout the world to strengthen their services for the disabled. As a professional leader, Goldberg served also as: the Chairman of the Sub-Committee on Education, Recreation, and vocational Training of the President's Panel on Mental Retardation (1961); a member of the Executive Board of the Council for Exceptional Children (1961-64); Secretary-Treasurer of the International Association for the Scientific Study of Mental Deficiency (1970-73); and member of both the Joint Commission on Mental Retardation of the world Health Organization and the New York City Mayor's Committee on Mental Retardation (1966-67).
He was awarded the Newell Kephart Award as a distinguished scholar in the field of special education. He also received the Teachers College Medal for Distinguished Service.
Professor Goldberg is survived by his daughter, Vivian Gerson and her husband Steven, grandchildren Jacob and Sarah, niece Irene Mink and nephew Eric Frydler.
On September 20th at 3 p.m., there will be a Memorial Service at TC for Professor Goldberg.
Published Monday, May. 20, 2002
