Obituary of Ken Goldstein

Kenneth R. Goldstein, 77, born on March 8, 1946 and a longtime resident of Larchmont, NY, passed away peacefully on July 4, 2023. Known for his brilliant mind, playful humor, and deep devotion to his family, Ken dedicated his life to his loved ones and his profession.  

We have the Mayo Clinic to thank for much of Ken's vibrant life. They performed a cutting-edge open-heart surgery on Ken in 1962 to repair a rare congenital heart malformation, extending his life and thereby forever enriching all of ours. 

After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania School of Law in 1971 and obtaining an LL.M. in Taxation from New York University, Ken went on to have a distinguished career as a tax attorney. He excelled in his corporate work at Loral, and its successor L-3, while also assisting numerous individual clients each year. After his retirement from L-3, he continued to serve these clients, a testament to the joy he found in untangling the mysteries of tax law for others.

Ken's sense of humor was as integral a part of him as his intelligence, generosity, and love for his family. His playful comment, "that was the best dinner I've had all day," shared after any dinner, will continue to echo in our hearts.

Devoted husband of the late Jane Goldstein, loving father of Anne Gerson (Adam) and Ellen Vora (Vimal), and adoring grandfather of Stella, James, and Teddy Gerson, and Jaya Vora, brother to the late Linda Heineman, son of the late Arnold and Gertrude Goldstein, and beloved brother-in-law, uncle, and “bonus uncle” to many, he was a pillar of strength and support to his family, guiding them with his wisdom and bringing levity to all situations with his unique humor. 

In Jane, Ken found the love of his life. They shared a deep connection that went beyond words and at the root of it, they profoundly enjoyed each others’ company. Their travel was always about enjoying the journey together rather than the destination; whether it was savoring long, scenic drives, like their “car trips to nowhere” and driving the entire length of Route 1, or taking on the challenge of walking the famed Camino de Santiago. They both enjoyed dancing, and in Ken’s own words, “we were the first ones on the dance floor…and the last ones off.” Ken’s love for Jane was a beacon that guided him throughout his life. Jane’s passing in 2015 was a tremendous loss. 

In the years after losing Jane, Ken demonstrated incredible depths of resilience. He stayed active, continued to go on road trips, and taught himself how to cook—even writing a book called The Widower’s Cookbook. He also wrote an autobiography through StoryWorth in 2020 that we treasure. 

In his leisure, Ken enjoyed playing golf, hiking, and swimming. While playing golf, he started collecting and cataloging abandoned logo golf balls he found on the course. Knowing his interest in this, friends started to bring him logo balls that they found, helping to build his collection. A few years ago, the Guinness Book of World Records told him he had amassed the largest personal collection of logo golf balls in the world, a quirky testament to his love of collecting and to the strength of his friendships.

A funeral service will be held on Wednesday July 12 at 10 AM at the Larchmont Temple 75 Larchmont Avenue Larchmont, NY 10538. Interment is private.

In lieu of flowers, as a final act of devotion to his beloved, donations in his name can be made to The New York Society Library, where Jane worked for many years.

Ken's life was marked by dedication, integrity, love, and a sense of humor that brightened the world around him. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.