Funeral Details

Arthur E. Goldberg, age 94. Beloved husband of Jacqueline nee Long. Loving father of William (Stacy), Susan (Edward) Witkowki, Kenneth (Lety), and David (Catherine). Proud grandfather of Sarah and Brian Goldberg, and Casey Witkowski. Step grandfather of Kristine Witkowski (Pawel) and Nicole (Hristo) Valkov. Cherished great grandfather of Jackson, Alex, Nicholas, Logan and Ethan. Dear brother of Doris (the late Melvin) Isenberg, and the late Irwin (Charlotte).

Art grew up poor on Chicago’s west and north sides during the depression. Although he was the youngest of 3, his parents saved what little they could for his education in particular because of his promising intellect. Arthur enlisted in the Army in 1943, during World War II. He was stationed in New Guinea, the Philippines’ and Ie Shima (Okinawa). He served as a navigator in a B-24 bomber (the Mareeba Butchers) and flew 31 missions, surviving damage to his plane from anti-aircraft fire on multiple missions, including a crash landing after his plane’s hydraulic system had been damaged by enemy fire. On one particular flight he was profoundly affected when he witnessed the mushroom cloud from one of the H-bombs dropped on Japan.

The GI bill enabled him to earn an undergraduate degree in chemistry at Roosevelt University. He also tutored students there and met his future wife, Jacqueline. Impressed with his skills, Roosevelt University promised him a professorship once he got his PhD. So he and Jackie moved to Madison where he earned a PhD in Physical Chemistry from the University of Wisconsin. When he returned to Chicago he took a job as a lab chemist at the University of Chicago, a better paying position than what Roosevelt was willing to offer.

He joined forces with George Warnke, eventually founding Ircon in 1962, a company that developed infrared thermometers, scanners and related equipment for industrial usage. As Vice President, Arthur was the creative force behind their products and earned several patents, singly and in collaboration with Ircon associates. Products he designed are still considered best in class. Ircon grew from original five employees (including Ed Niziolek, Bob Van Scoyoc and Helen Yamamoto) in 1962, to over 100 by the 1990’s. Ircon was sold in the 1980’s to Square D and is now part of Fluke Process Instruments.

Former associates describe him as extraordinarily talented in his field, humorous and kind. Regardless of the education of the student, he had the ability to teach to all levels. A man of few words, he had an infectious laugh that would get others helplessly joining in without knowing why and had a playful sense of humor. He was known for his bow ties and a conservative sense of style uninfluenced by the waves of fashion.

Never forgetting his humble roots, Art was generous to family, friends and those most needy. He sometimes surprised extended family members with substantial gifts. He and his wife opened their home to his parents, mother-in-law and brother-in-law and hosted other relatives whenever needed. He and Jackie established their own charitable foundation to share their good fortune with those in greatest need. In retirement he volunteered his time tutoring Russian immigrants in English.