Alan C. D. Goldsmith, 76, of Kenosha passed away on September 12, 2021, at his home, surrounded by his family and under the care of Hospice Alliance. Alan was born on August 1, 1945, in Ladysmith, WI, to Ralph D. and Lois A. (Walter) Goldsmith. He is survived by siblings Arlet Steel, Carole (Gary) Young, Jamie (Carrie) Goldsmith; nieces and nephews Kathryn (Peter) Springer, Mark Steel, Lauren (Todd) King, Lesley (Jon Kendziera) Reynolds, Garret (Linda) Reynolds, Calgary Goldsmith, Katie Monahan, Amanda Johnson, and Elizabeth Peterson; and numerous great-nieces and nephewsHe was predeceased by parents Ralph and Lois Goldsmith, niece Stacey Reynolds and brother-in-law Russ Steel. As a child Alan started in the family newspaper business, the Boscobel Dial. He graduated from Boscobel High School in 1963. He then joined the Air Force and attended Syracuse University majoring in Russian and serving in Turkey through his term. He attended UW-Milwaukee, where he earned a BFA, and UW-Madison, MA, MFA. He continued to work for the Dial and taught at UW-Richland, Mount Senario College and UW-Parkside. At UW-Parkside he taught graphic design, web design, package design, typography, digital photography and computer illustration. He served as art department chair for three years, and retired Professor Emeritus in 2011. Alan’s interests were wide and varied. He traveled widely and was equally entertaining as host or guest. More than one friend enlisted him for travel adventures to England, France, Germany, China, the former USSR, Egypt, Turkey, Croatia, and others. He was active on the Kenosha Public Museums Foundation Board and the Kenosha Public Museums Board of Trustees, serving as secretary and president of the Board of Trustees, and vice president of the Foundation board. He was a member of the board of directors of the Kenosha Harbor Market and Winter Harbor Market, 2007-2021, cementing further cherished friendships, through marketing and developing the event. His art reflected his varied and fascinating life, and has been displayed at Wisconsin museums in Kenosha, Racine, Madison, Green Bay, Milwaukee, and Appleton, among other state and national exhibitions. His lifelong passion for the study of all things Egypt was exemplified by his extensive collection of resource materials, his travels to the country and in his own Egypt-themed artwork. Proko Funeral Home, Kenosha, WI, is handling arrangements. Alan’s wishes were that no services be held at this time. A Celebration of Life is planned for a later date. Proko Funeral Home & Crematory5111-60th StreetKenosha, WI 53144Phone: (262) 654-3533Visit & Sign Alan’sOnline Memorial Book at:www.prokofuneralhome.com
Condolences
Marilyn Koepke
November 23, 2021
Alan was a friend from college. We lost touch over the years, but I am reminded today of the qualities that made him such a good friend: His wicked sense of humor, his kind heart, his spirit of adventure. I remember a canoe trip in Canada, foraging in the woods for edible (we hoped) mushrooms, our first attempt at cooking and eating artichokes. As I remember him so fondly, it is wonderful to learn what a big life he led and how much he was appreciated. RIP Alan—you were very special.Marilyn
Heather Miles
October 22, 2021
To never get another Alan hug.... It is a HUGE loss. I will miss his smile, his great attitude, and many more things that are too many to be named. Alan was kind and a great mentor to a very young, inexperienced IT technician, especially when it came to Macintosh computers. He helped me to learn and grown in so many positive ways. I will be forever grateful.Heather Premeau-Miles a former UWP colleague
Mary Lenard
September 15, 2021
I was a colleague of Alan’s at UW-Parkside for many years, and I am so grieved at his death. Our offices were next door to each other for part of that time, and I could never have asked for a kinder, funnier, or more cheerful neighbor. Just seeing Alan’s good-natured face made my day brighter and would almost instantly put me in a good mood. After his retirement, I saw Alan much less frequently, but every time I went to the Harbor Market, I would stop by the Harbor Market info table to say hello, and often I would sit next to him for a while and catch him up with the CART L2 gossip (all our offices were on the 2nd floor of the Communication Arts building). Unlike some of our faculty, Alan was a strong supporter of interdisciplinary relationships and study. He was friends with many members of my department (English). Personally, I counted him as a friend and enjoyed so many hours of laughter and conversation with him. I am now kicking myself for not having made more of an effort to keep up with him during this last year. I had no idea that he was ill.I hope Alan’s family gains something from the knowledge that he was one of the best-liked faculty members on campus. That is not a compliment but a simple of statement of fact. He is somebody who all of us really missed having around, even though we wished him well in his retirement. We are all the poorer for having lost himMary Lenard
Amanda
September 15, 2021
Professor Goldsmith was one of my favorites at UW-Parkisde - always kind, helpful, and supportive. I decided to major in graphic design after taking a couple classes with him. He had a great spirit and will be missed by so many.
Rita Randall
September 14, 2021
This is very sad news, indeed! The Goldsmith's were our next door neighbors for years! I remember I used to give Alan and Carol a ride to school most mornings.One year we had a hail storm and the hail was the size of golf balls! Alan, Carol and I were running around in back gathering up the hail balls for the freezer so that Ralph would be able to photograph them for the Dial . Tim and I have two of his painting. We have since gifted them to Tim's brother Mark and wife Kate.He will be missed by all who knew him.Rita and Tim Randall
Martin Defatte
September 14, 2021
First of all, my condolences go out to Alan's family. I was one of his very first graphic design students at UW-Parkside. My favorite memories of him are the many conversations (and laughs!) we had in his office talking about technology, art and life. His time, encouragement and friendship helped me find my way in the world. Everything I know about typography I learned from him. Rest in peace, Alan.
Glen Kelly
September 13, 2021
Alan was a great friend! He was my Professor first, and a fellow student (we were in an animation class together), and then our friendship continued long after my time at Parkside. He was always kind and fun-loving. I will miss that sparkle in his eye and his kindness most of all. Rest In Peace my friend.- Glen Kelly