Ron Goldstein 1923 - 2021

Discussion in 'Veteran Accounts' started by bexley84, May 30, 2021.

  1. Grasmere

    Grasmere Well-Known Member

    So sorry to hear about Ron's passing. I used to love to read his stories - it is so important for people like me who were not born when WW2 was happening, to read about people's first hand experiences. It is also important to remember those like his brother Jack, who did not come home to live out their life to old age. Goodnight Ron, rest easy.
     
    Last edited: Jun 10, 2021
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  2. mgvc

    mgvc Junior Member

    Thank you for this. It means a lot.
     
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  3. TriciaF

    TriciaF Junior Member

    I've just read this - he'll be missed so much. Mostly by his family, of course. Condolences to you.all.
    He'll be united again with his dear Nita. They always seemed to be so close.
    Ron was always so positive in spite of what he had lived through.
     
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  4. Gibbo

    Gibbo Senior Member

    Sorry to read this. R.I.P. Ron.
     
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  5. Gazz

    Gazz Active Member

    Such sad news, I always looked for and read Rons posts as he always gave a grounded and learned opinion. He reminded me so much of my Dad. He will be greatly missed on here. Condolences to his nearest and dearest.
    RIP Ron.
     
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  6. mgvc

    mgvc Junior Member

    Thank you so much. He really was a great man - so proud to have had him as a much loved Uncle.
     
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  7. Stuart Avery

    Stuart Avery In my wagon & not a muleteer.

    How is it that I've misted this sad news? Late again. So sorry to hear the passing of a top chap.

    RIP Ron.:poppy: Condolences to all of the family.


    Stu.
     
  8. Reid

    Reid Historian & Architectural Photographer

    My deepest condolences to Ron's family & friends.
    He was a true gentleman and I learned a great deal from reading his posts - he will be sorely missed by all here.

    RIP Ron.:poppy:
     
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  9. gpo son

    gpo son Senior Member

    A life well lived
     
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  10. von Poop

    von Poop Adaministrator Admin

    So strange that you bumped this thread, GPO.
    Was just this moment thinking about Ron.

    Part of wider thoughts about the forum itself, and it's 'direction' (whatever that is...).

    Anyone who's been around for a while might perhaps occasionally think about Ron's attitude to the place.
    At its best a repository of 'ordinary' chaps like him & their extraordinary 1940s stories...

    Dunno... A touch sentimental, maybe.
    He 'got it'. Never asked for any special treatment, never demanded anybody's removal or conformity to his view (other than actual Nazis, who we'd have usually got to already).
    Weathered the storms of stuff & nonsense knowing that the place was essentially, hopefully, worthwhile.
    Maybe... I'm not him, so can't place thoughts on his much-lamented persona.

    I'd be lying if I said I thought of him every day, but his loss, and the other old blokes, was a gut-punch to the place. Still is. There's a 'Post-old-ww2-chaps' interregnum to some degree.
    Maybe think of him when taking anything online a tad too harshly. Or don't...



    He once said to me that he didn't really have a bloody clue what was going on during battles he was present at, other than his very narrow personal view.
    That little aside stayed with me. An honest & perfectly human perspective that I think of every time I read 'veteran' accounts.
     
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  11. 8RB

    8RB Well-Known Member

    A "worm's eye view" as another veteran put is. I've always liked that expression.
     
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  12. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

    Currently reading Cassino portrait of a battle and quote from the book sums up Rons comments

    The newspaper reader learns General x is throwing in his armour or pouring in reserves or launching a three point thrust.This descriptive shorthand may give a handy passing impression of the general course of events but it gives no true picture of a battle.It is especially difficult for the soldier picking up a newspaper several weeks later after an action they took part to relate to himself to the account of that battle which he finds in it.
    It comes as a genuine surprise to him to discover that the day the orders were changed three times in as many hours and his unit eventually spent three days kicking their heels in a muddy farm area without a notion of what was happening.He was a reserve being poured in,it is difficult for Trooper x to grasp that on that unhappy morning when all but two tanks were knocked out he was part of a great armoured break-through.
     
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  13. Gerard

    Gerard Seelow/Prora

    I'm gutted to read this. Havent been here in a while and for some reason, tonight, thought I'd log in and see if Ron was still around. Gutted to see he has passed on. I was an active member many moons ago and, because of my area of interest (The Great Patriotic War/Eastern Front - delete as appropriate) Ron was a little reticent towards me but we grew to understand each other. As VP posted, Ron had a great attitude towards the place. Was always obliging, especially anyone who had an interest in the Italian Campaign. Had no time for Third Reich apologists or revisionists. May he Rest in Peace. And Thanks Ron, for being part of this place.
     
  14. Mathsmal

    Mathsmal Senior Member

    I haven't visited the forum for quite a while, so was very sad to hear than Ron has passed on. His active engagement with the forum and the questions raised has left a great legacy which I hope future visitors will take the time to read and investigate. It is a sad inevitability that those with first hand knowledge are leaving us now, but thanks to Ron's willingness to share his experiences, this forum is all the richer. Condolences to his family, and RIP Ron.
     
  15. RosyRedd

    RosyRedd Senior Member

    I was looking through some books and came across a copy of Two Types, which Ron had, I forget now why, recommended. I came on here to see if he was still with us. Still okay. Sadly not so.

    RIP
     
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  16. Instructor6

    Instructor6 Member

    I had not checked the forum for a while but was sad to hear that Ron Goldstein had died. He was a significant contributor to this site and from all accounts a really nice gentleman.
     
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  17. von Poop

    von Poop Adaministrator Admin

    Find myself firstly thinking of Ron this year.
    His loss still sharply felt here.
    You don't have to fall in battle to leave a 'Remembrance' mark, (though his brothers, both literal & metaphorical, did).

    Raising a glass to Ron.
    An absolute diamond.

    ~A
     
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  18. mgvc

    mgvc Junior Member

    Thank you all so very much, both personally and on behalf of all my dear uncle Ron’s family, for your thoughts and wishes, so poignant today…. And thank you too to those who have bought copies or downloaded the biography of my father, Ron’s brother, Sgt Jacob (Jack) Goldstein, 166 Squadron Bomber Command, KIA 16 March 1945, “Shalom Jack” - which Ron did so very much to research, making my task hugely easier. Ron was a true inspiration for me, someone whom I loved and admired beyond description. May he, and all others who served and fought so that we may enjoy freedom, rest in peace. And may their stay in our thoughts and collective memories forever.
     
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  19. Marmalade

    Marmalade New Member

  20. geoff501

    geoff501 Achtung Feind hört mit

    Just dropped in here on a whim to find we've lost our Ron, the day before I finally retired. Despite my abscence, I often thought of him and his dear brother Jack. We've lost much more than a friend, there are no words to sum up Ron. The friend I never met. Rest in Peace, Ron. My condolences to his family.

    (crikey that avatar is out of date, just flogged it)
     

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