Mitchell Goldbaum Obituary

I just found out about his passing. I was his Medical Assistant at the Rehab Hospital until 1993. He was a wonderful man. I'm truly sorry for his loss.. Kamala

I miss your sweet face

I was happy to see this site is still available.

I am remembering the special person that Mitch was and wanting to thank him for the role he played in my life without ever knowing it.

He started my interest in unseen energy and besides becoming a Feng Shui practitioner and dowser, I am now a licensed BioGeometry Environmental Home Solutions Practitioner.
Thank you Mitch for your inspiration!

I miss you!

You are always in my heart. We miss you so.

Love

I just went to the Oceanside High School 40th reunion and learned about Mitch's tragic and untimely passing. I lost touch with him after high school but have thought about him over the years and wondered about him. I was hoping to see him at the reunion and I am deeply saddened to have learned that we lost such a dear person. He was a good friend.

Still thinking of you, and the light you brought to so many lives.

This time of year the ancient Hebrew calendar moves through the saddest day in Jewish history, the 9th of the month Av.
It is the day that the Romans overtook the Temple in Ancient Israel, and massacred the Israelis, and carted off the goods of the Temple ( as seen in stone on the ancient Arch of Titus)
along with thousands taken as slaves.
It is the date of the Babylonians overtaking the prior Temple.
It is the date that the Spanish Inquisition began.
And so many other terrible things happen then.
Mitch was taken from us , to go back home.
I always think of him now.
See you then, Mitchell.

When you are born, you cry, and the world rejoices.
When you die, you rejoice, and the world cries.

Thank you Mitch for the positive impact you had on my life...You are missed. Jan Walsh

You will be and have been missed.

Remembering you as a wonderful friend and still missing your smile ,sense of humor,wisdom and compassion .You just departed ahead of us .
Someday,we will meet again .

Just wanted to leave another note, to Mitch's family and loved ones that I often think of him in so many different contexts. He truly left an indelible print in my life, as a friend, mentor, and confidante.... I think, because of the largeness of his heart and life.

I just heard about Mitch and I'm shocked. What a loss. Mitch was truly a beam of sunshine. I have long reflected about the discussions we had as undergraduates about the nature of mind and the mysteries of the functioning of the brain...amidst a sea of ongoing humor--lighthearted, zany, and fun. I had followed Mitch's career and work from afar and was looking forward to getting together to catch up, "one of these days..."

Miss you Mitch. -Neil

My roommate and I had the amazing fortune to have Mitch as our Resident Assistant our freshman year at SUNY Binghamton. He was so much more than an RA, but also a big brother, a trusted friend, a parent, and a shoulder to cry on which we did on numerous occassions. It is hard to fathom even today that he was only 2 years older than us at the time, as he was such an old soul. He and Britwood will forever be in our hearts. My love to anyone who loved him.

Mitch was a big part of my college experience at SUNY Binghamton, some of the best years of my life.
I found some old photos of "the gang" and in every single one Mitch has HUGE smile across his adorable face.
I wish I had known him in later years. Yet from his family and friends' words I can imagine him and remember him for his huge heart and expansive love of life.
My condolences to all who loved him.

This is my second entry, I wanted to mention that when my son was born 12 years ago, I wanted an 'M' name and instinctively chose 'Mitch' largely do to the fact that all three of the 'Mitch's' I knew growing up, including you, Mitch, were kind, generous and had great senses of humor (not to mention good looks too)! So thanks, Mitch for your sweet, happy and kind spirit that inspired me in this way! The 'Mitch' legacy lives on! God Bless. So Glad to have met you as a younster at Camp Boiberik!

Goodbye Mitch,

The short time I got to know you I found you to be a generous, kind, funny human being with a huge capacity to try new things. It was fun riding our motorcycles together and enjoying the great state of Colorado from a bike.

I only wished that I had kept in contact more over the years and I hope you found what it was you were looking for out there on the open road.

Mitch and Family,
The best way I can remember you is to simply say you lived a life well lived, and lived it largely, in my opinion. Your smile, humor, and persistent authenticity displayed yoru courage and generosity for many to see. It also challenged me to be present in each moment as you were, which is both a gift and difficult calling. We became friends because of all the doctors I came and met as a fellow health care provider at the Rehab. Hospital, you called me, and encouraged me to continue meeting. That's you, an encourager. I learned abotu life and myself as you shared yourself, your home, many lunches, conversations, coffee's, treatment sessions. You trusted me to care for you. I'll miss you Mitch. Thanks for inspiring me to re-enter medical education. You were a doctor, one who taught and cared, I believe with all your being. I do hope and pray I'll live life, the days I have left, as largely as you did yours.

Love, your friend, Chris Bayley

I met Mitch and his sister in Panama, Rep. of Panama a couple of years ago when he came here to find a place for Joanne. I just met him for a short time, but I could tell how big his heart was. He talked with so much love and enthusiasm about his dreams, his future plans and his family.
My prayers are with his family at this sad time.
My deepest sympathy to all those who new and cared about Mitch, specially to his sister Joanne.

Berliza

I met Mitch and his sister in Panama, Rep. of Panama a couple of years ago when he came here to find a place for Joanne. I just met him for a short time, but I could tell how big his heart was. He talked with so much love and enthusiasm about his dreams, his future plans and his family.
My prayers are with his family at this sad time.
My deepest sympathy to all those who new and cared about Mitch, specially to his siter Joanne.

Berliza

love you Mitch, thank you for your friendship, laughter, and the ease at which you shared yourself, we are blessed to have shared the time that we did have with you

Mitch’s Eulogy

Mitch, we always knew we’d do anything for each other.

You were Witness at my elopement and Best Man at my wedding celebration, and now I’m your Eulogist.

Would that it weren’t so.

But it is, and to tell you the truth, Mitch, I’m not sure I can get through it. I know I can’t get through it alone.

Fortunately, I don’t have to. You taught me that friends take care of one another, and that’s why Stacy and Tommy are here with me.

You loved them so very much, and they you, it only seems right that we stand together.

Mitch, I remember vividly when we first met as college freshmen.

You were so charismatic. But what I admired most about you was how little ego there was in your brilliance.

I remember you sitting in a circle of scared freshmen. You were so genuine and so inclusive, that as you sat there you were able to distribute gifts of acceptance.

You always were the greatest gift-giver.

Your gifts were so spontaneously chosen, so intuitively suited to the receiver, that sometimes you forgot what you gave.

To remind you, I brought along a few of your gifts to me.

Here’s the Mary Oliver book with the poem that’s in the Memorial Service program.

This is the Redwood box that reminds me of the California Redwood forests we both marveled at during our retreats.

These are the scrubs you gave me over 20 years ago. They made me feel a part of your Medical School experience.

Here’s the pen you gave me more than 25 years ago when I had the worst writer’s block.

This is the kid’s book about Charlie Parker you gave to Benjamin. He loves it and I love reading it to him.

And perhaps most perfect of all, here’s the fire-breathing, wind-up Godzilla you gave nearly 30 years ago when I was a much too serious young man.

But your true gift was nothing less than teaching me how to enjoy life.

Mitch, it rained today, and as we learned earlier from Joan Sutherland, that’s a good thing. It’s a majestic day here in the Springs, the kind of Colorado day you loved so much.

It reminds me of the countless times we stood and admired a mountain vista, or sat quietly and contemplated the ripples in a pond.

You taught me to appreciate the Sublime.

Mitch, I have to tell you that Joanne, Sarah and I considered playing the Bach Cello Suites during today’s service. You know the version I mean, the one by Janos Starker that you loved so much.

It’s the most sublime music I’ve ever heard, and it seems completely unmediated. You hear Starker bowing, and you hear him breathing. It’s real, and it’s genuine, and it’s straight from his true heart, and that’s why you loved it.

We concluded that we’d better not play it, or we’d have a total cry-fest on our hands.

I think we have a total cry-fest anyway.

Mitch, I admired you so.

I admired your spontaneity and sense of humor, and your ability to make life fun.

I admired your physicality, your combination of strength and grace.

I admired your intelligence, your curiosity and your perceptiveness.

And I was proud of you.

As proud as I was of you when you Graduated Medical School, I was even prouder the day I did patient rounds with you.

You were so much more than a physician. You were a life counselor, and you did it with care and concern and without an once of judgment or condescension.

Your patients, many of whom had experienced bad luck, were very, very lucky to have you.

I think you taught me the true nature of compassion. And then, together, we went even deeper at our retreats. I never would have gone without you, and with you I learned a different way of being.

A way of being like Janos Starker’s music, direct and unmediated, open and honest and real.

God, how I savored our conversations, dedicated to understanding ourselves and others as best as we were able.

You helped me become my best self.

That deserves repeating: you helped me become my best self, more than I ever thought I could be.

And you graced me with the profoundest and most beautiful insights about our shared humanity.

Insights that were sometimes painful as well as beautiful, especially when they were about yourself, and revealing of something you’d rather not face.

But face them you did, with courage and conviction, and with your sense of humor intact.

You and I were both proud of the life you made. It was a beautiful place to dwell, but, like Truth, it was elusive and fleeting.

Mitch, I miss you terribly already.

I had hoped for another 30 years of friendship and love.

But as deeply as I feel your loss, I feel your presence.

I feel your presence in everyone in this room, in our collective memories of you, and in the love we all share for you.

Mitch, I’m going to close by quoting from Mary Oliver:

“To live in this world
you must be able
to do three things:
to love what is mortal;
to hold it
against your bones knowing
your own life depends on it;
and, when the time comes to let it go,
to let it go.”





Love Always,
Ron

I am glad to have met and worked with Mitch.

I was a CIT in Boiberik in 1976 and remember Mitch as a sweet, kind and caring person. My deepest sympathy to his family and friends.

Dr. Goldbaum enter my life at a time when I had given up on Doctors. Dr, Goldbaum understood my pain and did not make me feel as though I was crazy. Whenever I drive by his office on Colorado Ave I always remember him. That will always be his office, See you soon in the big Zen Dr. Goldbaum,
Margaret Garcia

i only knew Mitch a short time... too short.
Mitch was such a personable and friendly guy. he was funny, patient, and smart.
it seems so senseless to loose someone like him.
i know he touched many lives, and leaves a lot of people with a deep loss.
in the short time i knew him, and something that has been said about him this week; he lived his life to the fullest. i'm sure he would want all those who knew and miss him carry that legacy and do the same.
i'm sure God has a reason for all this. i pray that all of us can find that within our lives.
Peace,
mike

Mitch graced our lives with his unconditional friendship. He graced our home with love, laughter, hugs and wonderful wine. I feel incredibly blessed to have known him.

The buddists consider rain to be a good omen. It has not rained here all summer... until yesterday and has not stopped. The lightening and thunder kept us all awake last night. I can't help but think it is Mitch letting us know that all is well.

Mitch, I am so saddened that you are gone. You’ve been a dear friend. I am so glad, and fortunate that we were able to reunite 5 years ago since I moved to Colorado. I will forever miss your big grin, your kind heart, and your companionship. You always gave of yourself to others. Truly one of a kind.

I'll never forget his smile and his laugh....he will be missed.

To The Goldbaum Family and Friends, My heart felt grief for your lost of Mitch. Dr Goldbaum was my primary doctor. He helped me heal and recover from my severe closed head injury in 1993. Mitch assisted with establishing me back into the community both mentally and physically. He was one of kind and will be missed by all who knew him. Sincerely, Jeffrey Smith

Mitch was an amazing person, great doctor, awesome friend and the coolest person to work for. I will miss his wacky sense of humor and laid back personality. I know he and my mom are up there hanging out togther! I am very sadden by the loss of Mitch and will miss him greatly.
To his family, I am so very sorry for your loss.

Mitchell was a good friend of mine since we met in Camp Boiberik in 1970. He was smart, funny, kind and always had a smile on his face. I will miss him very much. My thoughts are with Mitchell's family and friends at this time.

"Mee-otch" to some of his friends, this one will be missed, especially standing in front of his grill. :)

We have some flowers in our garden that came from his back yard... I think I'll transplant them to our new home when we move.

We were so saddened to learn of Mitch's passing and our hearts go out to his friends and family. Rich, Les & Josh - you are in our thoughts during this incredibly sad time.

This just makes me so sad; such a loss. Mitch was witty, fun and such a brilliant physician. I'm glad to have known him and worked with him. My prayers are with his family.

Mitch, we will miss you.

I am so sad to here of Mitch's passing. I had the great honor of working with Mitch at the Rehab Hospital of Colorado Springs and have always considered him a friend. He truely had a giving and loving heart with all who came in contact with him and I will miss him greatly.

I wish to extend my condolences to Mitch's family and friends during this difficult time. Mitch was always so nice to me and everyone else at Camp Boiberik and will certainly be remembered as one of the more unique and wonderful individuals who made Boiberik such a special place.

Mitch was a treasured friend to me from Boiberik and SUNY Binghamton. He had a unique mix of wit and warmth, with which he touched so many people. My life was enriched by knowing him. My sincere condolences to his family and all of those who loved him.

To the entire family: So sorry to hear of your tragic loss. I remember Mitchell as a kind, sweet kid at camp boiberik. Wishing you comfort at this very very sad time. Deborah (Barnett) Cohen. Boiberikaner 1971-77

Even at a young age, Mitchell made a deep impression on me. I will never forget his warmth, good nature and smile. Glad you mentioned Boiberik in the obit. It was an important influence on all of our lives.