Steve Goldenberg passed away on January 7, 2025, at the age of 74, at home in Oakland, California. Born on March 18, 1950, in Washington D.C., he was known as Goldy by some and a loyal friend by all who ever met him. His life was defined by service to others, devotion as a husband to his wife Susan, and intense love for the outdoors whether backpacking, cycling, walking, or participating in sports.
Steve possessed a strong spirit but after a fierce struggle with cancer, his strong body finally gave out and he passed peacefully beside Susan, his wife of 40 years.
Steve graduated from the University of Denver with a bachelor’s degree, then received his MBA from the University of California, Berkeley. While attending Berkeley he fell in love with the Bay Area and the nearby Sierras and decided to make his home and career in Oakland. After a brief stint with Kaiser Industries (where he met Susan) he founded his own financial firm, Ideal Data Management (IDM), which he successfully ran for over 41 years.
Steve will be remembered best for his service to community groups including Boy Scouts of America, Big Brothers of America, and Bay Area Outreach and Recreation Program (BORP).
As an assistant scout master of Oakland’s Troop 206, he participated as a merit badge counselor, Troop Treasurer, Troop Quartermaster, and hike coordinator for over 25 years. On weeklong 50-mile hikes in the Sierras and surrounding states you would always find Steve “sweeping” at the rear of the hike group, helping young boys up the trail with his humor, encouragement, and patience. As a Big Brother to Paul Onisko and John Oakley, he encouraged and mentored them, setting an example of responsibility, tenacity, and integrity. He was passionate about BORP where he was consistently one of the top leaders in fund raising, leaning on friends and acquaintances to sponsor his participation in BORP’s annual fund-raising bike ride.
Later in life he began cycling, often riding 3-4 times a week with his cycling group, the Veloraptors. The Veloraptors became a second family to Steve as they rode locally, statewide, and out of state. Again, you would most often find him bringing up the rear keeping an eye out for the group. During his courageous battle with cancer the Veloraptors were the first to organize meals and visitation schedules for Steve and Susan.
Just as serious as his generosity, Steve was also serious about having fun. He was a rugby player for the Old Blues Rugby Club, and a fun-loving hiking partner with 8-10 dads from Troop 206. Even as the boys from the troop had long moved on, this group kept on backpacking in his beloved Sierras, including the John Muir Trail and the Mt. Whitney summit. On a Montana 50-miler when Steve was thirty-five, he passed an “old man” on the trail and asked his age. The man replied he was 70. Steve turned to a friend and said, “let’s make a pact that we’ll still be backpacking when we turn 70.” That promise was kept. He only stopped hiking when the cancer began to take over.
Steve is survived by his beloved wife Susan, brother Alan (Barbara), sister-in-law Patricia (Jim, deceased), his nephews Adam (Megan) and Zachery (Lorena), niece Michelle (Michael) and a host of grand nieces, nephews, and God daughters.
Steve’s memory will live on through his friends and the many lives he touched. A celebration of life is being planned for Spring. In lieu of flowers, the family appreciates memorials be made in Steve’s honor to BORP at 3075 Adeline St. Ste 200, Berkeley, CA 94703-2930.
