Ivan's listserves have been an extraordinary resource for clinicians, and thus patients, from around the world. It's difficult to overstate how helpful he has been.

Dr. Goldberg was a good friend and professional colleague to my father Dr. Bill Kutscher. Ivan did a lot of good work with him for The Foundation of Thanatology. I remember him from when I was a child. I remember his skinny townhouse.

Dear Meredith--

Today is April 9th....and my thoughts are with you. 

Your Dad is with you, too. For, you carry him within your heart. If you listen really hard, you can hear him speak to you in the same familiar way.

--Yvette

MEREDITH!

No money yet donated to aclu because some weeks ago I fell on the ice, hit back of my head, ended up in hospital, hole drilled into my head (surgery), then rehab place, all adding up to a month or so, and just got back home yesterday afternoon with weak legs, having to exercise so as to climb stairs.

Send me an email so I can reply to you at your own address.

Bye for now.

David

My condolences to Meredith and all  the family of Ivan Goldberg. He was a very special man. I will miss him very much.

Silvia Eiberman

Dr. Goldberg came to Morristown, NJ for 25 years for his "Ask the Doctor" sessions. I have renamed our lecture series "The Ivan K Goldberg MD Lecture Series". David Chowes wrote of many ways Dr. Goldberg was ahead of his time. 

See 
http://www.dbsanewjersey.org/morristownarea

It is still hard to believe he is no longer "Our Yearly Speaker".

To the family and friends of Dr. Ivan Goldberg:

I had the good fortune to meet Dr Ivan at the Morristown Area support group over ten years ago, but had no idea of his impact in this field until I started receiving e-mails by those who knew him more extensively and those who made entries in this Guest Book.

His work and he himself will live on in the minds and hearts of those he touched so well and so deeply.

Farewell Ivan, we hope to see you bye and bye.

Dear Dr. Goldberg:
We love you very much and we will miss you. Thank you so much for helping so many people.You will remain in our hearts forever.

Dr. goldberg was a caring man and a great doctor. I met him a few times but, i will never forget him. He saved my brother's life. My family and I will miss him very much. We pray for his family during this difficult time.

Dr.Goldberg was a hightlight each year
in our DBSA Morristown "Ask the Doctor lecture series for 25 years! He also patiently and wisely answered email questions for myself, group members and even my mother who was suffering agitation at the end of her 97 years. I became a patient 5 yrs ago.
When I last saw Dr Goldberg Nov 1st he was frail and suffering. I was very concerned but hoped I was wrong. Still
it is hard to process. 
When my mother died at 97 Dr Goldberg wrote "Like you I am both saddened and relieved". Which was perfectly expressed. I suspect it also applies to Dr Goldberg's death.
        Linda Boginsky

Ivan Goldberg is no longer among us – but yet he is, indeed!

In 1997 – after a 3 week long battle with my computer – I finally got on the internet for the very first time.  In less than 10 minutes I had by incident found dr. Ivan's Depression Central. As a Danish general practitioner I had for a long time been interested in psychiatric disorder. Reading Ivan's articles was an overwhelming eye opener to me. Never before had I met a colleague who could address patients and professionals with facts on psychiatry in such an empathic but still unsentimental way. Reading Ivan's writings was learning. He was always ahead in his field.

Together with Danish professor of psychiatry, Per Bech, my wife, psychologist Liselotte and I made a Danish translation of the Goldberg Depression Scale (one of several self rating scales developed by Ivan) and together with local GP colleagues we made a validation study which – not surprisingly – came out very well. It was published in the year of 2000. Psychometric scales were not commonly used in GP settings or other clinical environments at that time, but I believe that this work might have  be one of the first steps towards todays governmental demand, that GP's should assess their patients by using a rating scale before initiating treatment of depression. Many doctors and psychologists in Denmark still use Ivan's scale because the questions seem very meaningful to the patients.

This is how my wife and I got to meet Ivan and his lovely wife, Cynthia. We met a couple of times in both New York and in Denmark. Ivan was a warm person, had a fine sense of humour and was very interested in learning about our country. He even lectured GPs  at the Nordic Congress of Family Medicine. On a visit to Ivan in his office in New York we spotted a big, signed photo of Woody Allan on his table. We believed that Ivan had been treating Woody Allan in his clinic, but no “I had this from a patient who was unable to pay”.

Many people will miss Ivan in the future. But even more people can be happy that he was here.

Liselotte and I send our condolences  and warm thoughts to Cynthia and to Ivan's two daughters.

One time in a discussion with Ivan, I said something to which he replied, "Whatever gave you THAT idea?" I had a sudden understanding about some of my own misconceptions. Ivan, those words and so many other little gems will always remain in my mind and my heart. You are sorely missed.

I was out of town when I received the new that Ivan had passed away. I am looking at his picture and cannot believe he is no longer here with us on earth. 
My mom and I were patients for 30 years. My Mom always said he walked on clouds.
I just thought he was brilliant. Ivan always had an an answer usually a good answer.
We will miss him.
Jan and Kathy, New York

Ivan Goldberg was a rare and lovely person. I am grateful to have known him for close to 30 years, and very sorry he is gone. With his death I realize that whether or not I was in touch with him at any given time, he was an important figure in the whole fabric of my life, both professional and personal.  It was good to know he was there. 

Whenever I suggested that anyone go see Ivan, I think I always said something like -- "he's his own man." Whether or not he needed much time to figure out how to help you, you were never talking to somebody who would take a mental shortcut. The devotion of many colleagues and success with so many patients arose from this in my opinion, his attention to the other person's individuality was as natural to him as the expression of his own.

Ivan has been a part of my life for so many years and I know he will continue to help me to be the strong and healthy person I have become.

Dr. Goldberg was a compassionate doctor and wonderful human being.   How lucky I was to have him in my life for two + years. May your family find comfort and peace during this challenging time.

 I am so sad that Dr G. can no longer make me laugh when I feel depressed. I was a long time patient of 31 years!!! I began seeing him when I was 19 and now I am 50! I didn't think I'd live this long but Dr.G made it possible. He never gave up on me, always knew what to try next and came up with a perfect "cocktail" as he liked to call it to help me function. I know that he helped heal and touched the lives of so many people that I know he will continue to live on in all of us. He always made me laugh when I came to his office and I so respected him and all his wisdom and knowledge that he shared with me. It is with a heavy heart that I say goodbye to him. Thank you for all you did for me and for everyone. Rest in peace...but if I know you - you're still working away somewhere. I hope you are. Your very sad patient, Lisa Schneider

Rarely, we come across a human being who holds an internal light force that beams so brightly, it even touches those of us who live where no light reaches.  Thank you Ivan for being so kind and giving to so many of my patients.  Thank you for touching my soul.

Ivan was a true friend to all of us in the Esecover family, as well as offering us the benefits of his expertise.  His website has been a resource to me, personally, throughout the years.  Long life and our deepest sympathies to Cynthia and all the family.

I was a patient of Dr. Goldberg for 20 years. I've been trying for days to write something and I just don't know where to start. He was an incredible man and he did so much for me. My wife and parents are grieving for him as well because they know how he steered me on the right path in my life. We couldn't even imagine where I would be now without him. I will miss him more than you know.

You saved me from myself and gave me back my life. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I will never forget you and all that you did for me.

Longtime Patient
Victoria Reiss

Thank you, thank you Ivan.  In a very real sense you saved my life.

Anonymous

What can I say... he saved my career, and probably my life. The pre-eminent "doctor's doctor"... not only brilliant but also kind, caring and with a killer wit. As a fellow psychopharmacologist with severe depression, I searched nation-wide for doctors. I had been to all the big names in the field. But it was only when I met Ivan that I finally got better. Thank-you Dr. Goldberg, I'll never forget you. And all of the patients that I help in my career will only be because of how much you helped me. May you rest in peace.

As a psychiatrist in practice for 35 years, I learned more practical knowledge courtesy of Ivan's work than from any book, journal  or conference. And in this materialistic world he did it all for free! The man was courteous, dignified and seemingly indefatigable, posting and hosting  24/7/365. I loved his sense of humor, and the breadth of his interests. He was a mentsch in the full sense of the word. May his memory be a blessing.
Len Leven MD

I didn't know Ivan for very long but in the short time I knew him it was clear that he was a very special psychopharmacologist and more importantly and related a very special person. Bob Berlin, M.D.

Time and again, Dr. Goldberg would remind me that I "wasn't superman." By this he meant that I will always be human, always have limits and boundaries, always make mistakes. And I will certainly never be able to "do everything," or "do it perfectly."  

As I've sat here tonight struggling with how to write about my feelings of loss, admiration, remorse, and the tremendous depth of gratitude I will always have for Dr. Goldberg, I found myself hearing his voice reminding me, "Hannah, you're not Superman." 

With that in mind, I will never be able to tell you exactly how much my relationship with Dr. Goldberg meant to me (though I wish I had expressed my gratitude to him far more often). I can only tell you that he made me feel understood without my having to explain myself. He brought humor, patience, kindness, and perspective to my darkest places. And like any good mentor, he left a bit of himself behind- through memories, stories, and adages that will stay with me forever. 

I wouldn't be who I am today were it not for Dr. Goldberg. I hope he knew just how grateful I am for everything he did for me (he went above and beyond his responsibilities to ensure that I always was- and felt- safe and cared for), and how grateful I feel to have had the chance to get to know him. 

Thank you, Dr. Goldberg, for caring for me like no doctor had before or probably ever will again. And thank you for sharing your wisdom, humor, life, and perspective with me along the way.

Dr. Goldberg was a remarkable human being.  Kindness personified.
He brought so much understanding and acceptance to my life.  I will remember him with unmeasurable warmth and know his wisdom resides in all of the
people who had the good fortune to pass through his life.

My sincere condolences to the entire Goldberg family. There are great doctors and there are great men. Ivan was both. He was a lifesaver. He will be sorely missed.

Depressed I guess forever, but it got really, *really* bad after a relationship ended, I tried going to a psychiatrist: office immaculately clean, large expensive desk, nothing on it, and not a book to be seen.  His discussion: about his wine cellar.  And prescribed me -- well, you don't really want to know.

However, and so incredibly luckily, a friend recommended that I see her doctor (you can guess who).  When I entered his office -- what a difference!  Clutter all over.  Research papers piled here and there.  Floor to ceiling bookshelves covered every wall.  His huge Hasselblad-photographs of Yosemite, etc.  Heavy interest in computers (my own field).  

Wow -- looks like I'd found my man!  (Not only incredibly intelligent, but interesting, and kind too.)


--


First he tried me on the usual tricyclics, etc.  Nada.  A few other things too, also nada.  (And lithium: a week later, I reported to him that with that drug, when crossing a street, I'd look only straight ahead, because it had become "just too much trouble" to look left or right.  Which instantly ended that test!)

Before long he mentioned "MAO inhibitors" (Nardil was one), which, he said, because it inhibited not only depression but also a particular 
digestive process, would cause certain normally safe foods to become DANGEROUSLY POISONOUS, leading to a "high-blood-pressure emergency", e.g. stroke, burst aorta, etc.  Meaning no chocolate, no liver, nor anything fermented, i.e. no red wine (Chianti being the most dangerous), and no cheese (the better the cheese, the more the danger).  Nor even banana peels (we both laughed).   (He jokingly added that a good murder mystery could be based on the victim being fed a dish surreptitiously laden with an excellent French cheese!)

Finally, I gave in and tried it, Nardil.  Zero effect for 13 days -- BUT -- on the morning of day 14, the depression suddenly started easing, hour by actual hour, and by late afternoon, it was basically gone.  GONE!  Totally amazing.  And I've been on Nardil for 35 years, and surely will be until I die.  THANK YOU, DR. GOLDBERG!

(Plus this enjoyable-life saving discovery: yes, turns out I can eat chocolate, doesn't bother me.  LOTS of chocolate!)


--

But, like with so many others who knew him, there was more.  For me, it was much discussion of photography, computers and the internet.  Way back in '81 or so, before the "web" had really gotten going, he introduced me to panix.com's "shell accounts", which I signed up for and still use, mostly for its super-long-lasting "newsgroups".  

Plus he was completely open about his own life, e.g. his heart-based medical problems (my guess: many years (decades?) of eating at and helping his then-wife rate fancy restaurants), and probably anything else I cared to inquire about.

My only regret is that I didn't, as apparently did so many others, have a relationship with him outside the office.  Golly, would I have enjoyed learning from all and participating in some of his other interests.  What a loss -- and with him living so close, just across the Tappan-Zee!  I should have persisted.

In closing, had I not been introduced to him, I don't want to guess what might have happened to me.  I won't say that he definitely saved my life (would I have actually offed myself?  Maybe), but he sure did allow me to have one!  

David Combs

Ivan Goldberg was one-of-a-kind, brilliant, funny, and profoundly humane.  His store of clinical wisdom and his willingness to share it was invaluable.  Ivan made himself available outside of ordinary working hours because he sincerely cared about his patients.  He was the "real deal".  

One of the many patients of mine who were helped by Ivan after others had been unsuccessful trusted him because he noticed that Ivan had a black rotary phone on his desk. At the time, I thought it was a trivial observation.  Now, I'm more inclined to see it as subtle and relevant.  The patient meant that Dr. Goldberg wasn't led astray by superficialities.  I will always remember Ivan's capacity to discern the heart of the matter and to focus on that.  He was a lovely man and he will be sorely missed.  My sincerest condolences to his family.

I am so sad but NOT DEPRESSED! A great doctor and a wise and wonderful man, I am forever grateful. He will be greatly missed.

There can be noone who can fill the void he left. My deepest condolences are to Meredith and his family.

Ivan saved my life, and gave me a chance for a new life very different from the first. From 1999 pushing into 2001, I suffered with the most violent and voracious manic depressive episode I've ever had. No one, including notables in the field, could help me. And I was ready to "abandon life all ye who enter here." Somehow  I got to Ivan, who gave me reprieve which no one else could do. But Ivan did more. In saving one life, Ivan helped create in me another. From being a lawyer for 30 years, and surviving Hell, I felt for me that it was "give back" time and stopped practicing law and got my MSW social work degree to do therapy. My life has gained a sense of purpose, calling and mission that I never had before.  By Melvin Simensky

Dr. Goldberg has graciously shared his knowledge of the field of psychiatry and specifically the focal area of psychopharmacology and spearheaded the, then,  new and expanding frontier of utilizing professional listserv technology to allow others to learn and share, professionally. To say that Ivan was outstanding in his field would be an understatement. It is with sadness that I say "goodbye Ivan." Your work here is done; you have well-earned your eternal rest. Joseph B. Stewart, psychologist

Dear Ivan,
Thank you for what you did in psychopharmacology area with your mail list. I learned a lot from you and had some contributions from Turkey to the other side of the world by your help. You were the ambassador of your area for all over the world. As we say it in Turkish "I have my total consent and I wish God will also have a total consent for you". Sleep in peace.

An amazing Psychiatrist who changed the lives of patients and mental health professionals by providing a virtual community from which professionals can get consultation and referral when necessary. We will continue to honor Ivan by continuing his many listserves

We would like to recognize the passing of Dr. Ivan Goldberg who gave so much to so many for so long.  His achievements in the field of Psychiatry are well recognized and appreciated.  We join the large numbers of doctors and patients who will miss his intelligence, his empathy, and his efforts in their behalf.  We are his cousins, Ira R Hoffman, MD and Ruth H. Weichsel, MD

Ivan and I met in 1955 as first year medical students.  We became close friends during those years, and that friendship endured until now.  I know I am not the only one who will miss him, but that does not ameliorate my sorrow.  He was a good, dependable, understanding friend.  It is especially sad for me that he and I were so separated by distance that we didn't see each other nearly as much as we would have liked.  And now its too late. Goodbye Ivan.  Even in your absence you remain a light to your friends.

Since the 1980's Ivan Goldberg has been my trusted psychopharmacologist and advisor on a great many issues. I saw him August 12th for the last time, not knowing that it would be the last time ever.....I had brought him chocolates from Switzerland and he said:  "I will give these to Meredith". It did not occur to me that he might be ill.  We sat together on the Board of MDSG, Inc. of which he was the Medical Advisor. He shared his home and his garden with us for Board Meetings. Each conversation with him was always educational and often also fun. His great wisdom and knowledge on a variety of subjects never failed to impress me. He always knew terrific doctors to refer me to. I will miss him greatly.
I extend my heartfelt sympathy to Meredith and Cynthia, whom I have met, and to all his family members and friends. Nobody will ever be able to fill his shoes. May he rest in peace,
Marylou Selo

I went to Dr. Goldbergs office for twenty five years. He was the only doctor that made me well and I am well today because of Dr.Ivan K. Goldberg. He will be missed greatly. My condolences to the family. With affection  Marianne G. Argenti

My deepest sympathy to Dr. Goldberg's family.  He was an amazing, smart, and wise man and I can bet you have so many wonderful memories to keep in your hearts forever.  I am very fortunate to have met him and will truly miss him.  With sincerity.

I enjoyed my occasional visits to Dr. Goldberg, and his love of photography. I benefited from his knowleldge of which drugs might help. My condolences to the family. I thought highly of him, and it is, of course, a loss to all who knew him. David McReynolds

Ivan and I were classmates at Hopkins. We lost touch a few years after we were graduated, but as a result of my stumbling over a reference in the New Yorker to his work on internet addiction, on a Friday evening, I tracked him down first thing Saturday morning and sent him an early-morning E-Mail asking if he was "the famous doctor of parapsycology" from my Hopkins days. I received an almost instanteous reply with a message repeating "Ira, Horowitz, Ira Horowitz,.....". We've been in touch ever since and I will sorely miss him.

Ira Horowitz (Gainesville, Florida)

I am forever grateful for Dr. Goldberg's help and wisdom over the years that I met with him.  He will be sorely missed by me and many others whose lives were made all the better by knowing him.
My deepest condolences to his family.
Susan Schechter

When someone is in your life for 26 years he becomes more then a doctor he became a good friend who saved my life by treating me with the right Medicean and being there when I needed him   He treated me more then just a paitent he showed me that there was light at the end of the tunnel and noatter how bad things got he was always there to pull me through  I will miss so much words can not express   Dr Goldberg you had a heart of gold and helped endless amount of people god bless safe journey love Steven

Ivan dwells among the giants of 
American Psychiatry.  He was a master clinician, a brilliant psychopharmacologist and an innovative educator.  As a skilled website manager and listserve moderator he had a major impact on quality information sharing among his mental health peers. His Depression Central website was arguably the best source of psychiatric information for lay consumers on the internet.

Above all, Ivan was a genuinely nice guy, who was always available and willing to offer help to a friend, colleague or patient in need of guidance or direction.

I had a practice similar to Ivan's in Florida, and we would commune on a regular basis until I retired.  Afterward I touted the pleasures of retirement to him.  He responded that they would have to carry him out of his office.  May he now enjoy his peaceful repose.  Obviously, we all will miss him greatly

I knew Dr. Goldberg for over 45 years.  He was extremely knowledgeable and helpful in so many ways. I considered him my mentor in later years.  He was very special. There is a void in this world now that he is gone.
My sincere condolences to his family.
Phyllis Goldman

To Meredith, whom I've chatted with over the years in Dr. Goldbergs office, and her family, I offer my sincerest sympathies. Its difficult to define the scope of the loss of Dr. Goldberg, but my dear wife of 35 years expressed it well and I'm sure speaks for others when she said "without Dr. Goldberg we wouldn't be together." 36 years ago, out of the blue, my once healthy brain crashed. I could bearly think, eat or sleep and would have slowly curled into a ball and probably been classified a catatonic something. Dr. Goldberg prescribed a simple drug/mineral formula that completly cured me, that I have taken every single day for 36 years and counting. Death is very sad, but the amazing work he did and memories of Dr.Goldberg will live forever.

My condolences to the family, may you draw close to God at this time. James 4:8

Ivan was brilliant, funny, creative, and caring.  A great  doctor and person.  Condolences to his wife and children, and  a personal condolence to Meredith, whom I knew, My thoughts are with you.
Susan Grober

I am so saddened to hear of Ivan's passing.

He was a truly dedicated physician, friend and employer.  He spoke the most meaningful words to me that I ever heard from any professional. It had great impact on me and he will never be forgotten!

My heart goes out to Meredith and the rest of the family.

So sorry--
--Y

I still remember coming to Ivan's office on Lexington Avenue for the first time, meeting not only him but also a bunch of cats and a row of computers. After all, I discovered him because of his activity on the Internet, where he had helped so many people by giving free advice. The rumor was that there is no mood disorder that won't end up surrendering in battle to Ivan's fierce fighting spirit and knowledge. Ivan never viewed me as 'a bunch of symptoms' to alleviate but treated me as a whole and complex human being. He always encouraged my aspirations and rejoiced when I succeeded to turn my life around. A session with Ivan was basically a crash course in Life 101. There wasn't a topic that he wasn't well versed in and he always expressed himself without an ounce of arrogance. I've always felt that he was not only a Renaissance man, but also an original thinker and I especially enjoyed that sparkle in his eye and his out-of-the-box approach to everything in life. He always had an insightful anecdote, a quote, a memory or a joke to illustrate his thinking. Though he didn't promise anybody a rose garden and was honest about side effects, there was always a sense that there was somebody at the helm and of a possibility of a better future that he conveyed by his mere unique presence.
One could never call Ivan 'average' or 'ordinary' but one could definitely call him 'A true mensch'. It's hard to imagine the world without him. As you can see, I miss him already.

I have been in shock and grief at the sudden passing of Dr. Ivan Goldberg last week. He was one of the most brilliant, caring, and witty human beings i ever had the privilege to know. His commitment to his field, but moreover a true desire to better understand his patients in order to help them is so very rare. I will miss him greatly as an amazing doctor as well as a  true  personal advocate.

I am in extreme shock/grief at the sudden passing of Ivan Goldberg last week.  He was one of the most brilliant, talented, witty, and caring human beings I have ever had the privilege of knowing.  In addition to his knowledge and continuing cutting edge research, his dedicated commitment to LISTENING to his patients in order to better understand and then help them is so very rare. I will miss him as an incredible doctor who helped me greatly on so many levels. My deep and heartfelt condolences to his family.

Thank you, Dr Goldberg for everything you did for me for the past 17 years. I wouldn't be where I am today without you. There will never be another doctor like you ever again.

I am so sorry for your loss. He was a wonderful doctor and very knowledgeable about all aspects of traditional medicine and complementary medicine

Dear Meredith and family,
It is with a heavy heart and much sadness  that I learned of your Dad's passing this morning. I've known doctor Goldberg for some 30 plus years and he was a (our) brilliant psychiatrist and pharmacologist.  But in addition Dr. Goldberg was a "mensch."
When many years ago 7 New Yorkers. myself and Marge from Long Island,  started the Manic And Depressive Support Group (MDSG.) Dr. Goldberg joined our small group (which became 300 members) and was there at every turn to guide us, giving of his time and expertise.  He attended meetings at Beth Israel Hospital in NY to speak and answer questions from patients and family members.
When Esther and I started the Nassau County Chapter at Mercy Hospital in Rockville Center, L.I. Dr. Goldberg attended our meetings at least 2 times yearly.  We had in attendance 200 - 300 folks, patients and families suffering from manic depression (bipolar depression) when they were called and told Dr. Goldberg was going to be there (that was many years ago before email.)  At that meeting I handed all those attending index cards where they wrote their questions which Dr. Goldberg read and answered.  Dr. Goldberg stayed until every question was answered.  I would drive him to the LIRR station and we were able to share some interesting time together where he advised me relating to elements of this illness which affected so many including my brilliant father Captain H. of the NYC Fire Dept.  
I will always remember Dr. Goldberg wearing his plaid shirt and suspenders speaking to our group on L.I. as a friend, confidant and above all a "mensch."  A special man who will be sorely missed by all who knew him.
With heartfelt sincere condolences to the Goldberg family,
Warmly, Carole Kahn

Ivan was the very best. I am so saddened at his passing. I loved the combination of his true genius and caring devotion that separated him from the vast majority of doctors. My deepest sympathies go out to his  daughter, Meredith, his wife and the rest of those that loved him.

My condolances and prayers to Ivan's family.  The passing of Ivan is a great loss of  a wise, humble, generous, gracious man ahead of his time.  A harbinger: a pioneer, a precursor, one who initiates major change and one that presages what is to come.  Thank you for being you, Ivan.

Ivan may not be here but his influence win live on in me and my patients.  
Rick Brand, MD

I offer my deepest condolences to Ivan's family. I never met him, but he unfailingly gave me terrific advice about my patients over the years. He was incredibly generous in sharing his vast knowledge with so many of us. 
He did so much in so many ways for so many people. 
He is missed.

I'd like to offer my condolences to Dr. Goldber's daughter Bonni and all of the extended family.  Losing a parent is heartbreaking.  My thoughts and sympathies are with you.

Thank you, Ivan, for being with me in my office for so, so many years.  Although there are many very elegant and beautiful sayings about expressing enough gratitude, I wish that I could have met you and thanked you in person.  There is no substitute for that.   

John R. Edwards, MD
Burlington,  VT

Dr. Goldberg was a tremendous person. He helped my family in a major time of need. He provided answers when nobody else could. He was an amazing doctor. He will be missed dearly.

We will miss Dr. Goldberg's professionalism and generosity in his helping patient self-help support groups.

(Gregory Ludwig, Highland Lakes, NJ)

Dr. Goldberg helped many people, and his loss will be felt by those and many more.  I send my sympathies to his family and friends.

May God bless Ivan's soul and give comfort to the family in this hour or grief. This is also time to celebrate the life Ivan led and remind ourselves of his contributions. Through hundreds of psychiatrists, he singlehandedly brought solace from psychological distress to many thousands of people.

My condolences.
He leaves behind a rich legacy .
May you be spared further grief.

Sam Sussman London Canada

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Ivan Goldberg was a great influence in my life, although we never met. His work brought great benefit to many people he never met.  To his family: May HaShem comfort you among the mourners in Zion and Jerusalem.

Ivan Goldberg, M.D. was a pioneer in the in the field of psychiatry. He realized when he was working in the NIMH that psychodynamic treatments had little or no effect on serious mental illnesses. 

And, he became one of the first clinical and research psychiatrists who realized that the new and better approaches to embrace were the psychopharmacological modalities.

He was also one of the first to realize that many persons who had been diagnosed as "schizophrenic" were actually suffering from mood disorders -- most especially, bipolar. So, often the modalities utilized actually exacerbated the patients' conditions.

As a friend of his since the late 1970s, I spent many thousands of hours with him and found him to be perhaps, the most brilliant person which I have ever known. Brilliant -- yes -- but, no ivory tower faux intellectual.-- he was very pragmatic. And, encompassed a range of knowledge outside of his chosen field.

David Chowes
New York City

email: dachowes@aol.com

I wish I had met Ivan in person, but I never did. Still, he was a strong ePresence in my life, and I had alway the impression of a knowledgeable, warm man with a great sense of humor, and a deep love of his profession. May his memory continue to inspire us all.

I have greatly appreciated Dr Goldberg's contribution to psychiatry and my professional education with his many list serves. He was an internet innovator, being a member since my residency in the mid 90s before the Web was even invented! Rest in peace and blessings to your family.

I was greatly saddened by Ivan's passing.  I admired the professional way he handled all the lists on his listserv.  He had a keen sense of humor and was just brilliant!   He will be greatly missed....

I never met Ivan in person, but after years on his psychopharmacology listserv, I had a great appreciation for a man who clearly practiced psychiatry with humanity and great intelligence. HIs influence over our profession was substantial, and his voice of reason and civility will be greatly missed.

Wow ... this is terrible news.  I've never met Ivan except through the email list that he started.  He was a force a nature as they say.  His since of humor and his humanity always came through as he tirelessly answered, or commented on literally thousands of topics.  My deepest sympathies to his family and friends.

Hans Mohr - Canada

Ivan was one of those rare creatures: a gifted, brilliant man and a warm, very human individual. One meets only a precious few in a lifetime.

I had the privilege of knowing Ivan as a friend for over four decades.  His had a wonderful capacity to enjoy life and a terrific sense of humor.  He was a fine photographer and possessed an endlessly curious mind.  And, of course, Ivan  was a brilliant psychiatrist with an international reputation.  His passing leaves a void that cannot be filled.  He was truly a mensch.  So many of us are eternally grateful to him for his teaching and his healing. 
Hillel Swiller, MD
HSwiller@optonline.net

Ivan's list  has been a tremendous gift to all of us, colleagues and patients alike, providing a wealth of knowledge and information and of humane, intelligent support for the difficult practice of psychiatry.  I knew him only there but he has my eternal admiration and gratitude for the generosity, prescience, wisdom and kindness with which he created this tremendous resource for good.  Thank you, Ivan, and warmest sympathy to Cynthia .

I too met Ivan only a few times. In New York I was on and off the list over the years. Its importance and global relevance came home to me when I was away from home, practicing medicine in New Zealand for six months last year. It was the best source of for contemporary practice and current information. Ivan was a trailblazer among list moderators, succinct and humorous, unobtrusively keeping participants on the mark. We have all dropped off other lists for lack of relevance, too many messages, etc., but Ivan's always grew and diversified. His altruism in doing all this is unsurpassed.

I was a patient for over 20 years.
Lots of laughs.  Wonderful man.
A life saver.  Literally.
A.L.  New Jersey

Brilliant and kind. We will miss his caring treatment and ever present concern. Our sympathies to his family.
Dr Scott Adams, Jennifer Adams & Ariel Adams

Everyone who knew Dr. Goldbberg was struck by his brilliance, compassion, and tireless dedication to his family, his profession and his patients. His light will always shine in the hearts of all he touched. What a privilege it was to have known him. It is such a great loss

A great loss! My condolences to Cynthia and the family.

Although I only met him once, he became a mentor and role model through the list serve, and will always be grateful for making me a better practitioner.

My wife and I have enjoyed Ivan and Cynthia's company on Friday evenings at DaNina's for many a year. RIP Doc
Richie & Loretta

So sorry to hear of Ivan's passing.  He started communication through cyberspace for psychiatrists, and made it possible for psychiatrists all over the world to learn from each other.  An amazing accomplishment!

Only met Dr. Goldberg once at one of the listgroups dinners, but his psychopharm bulletin board has been a nightly staple of my internet use. Baruch Hashem
Elliot Cohen, M.D.

I am a member of psichopharm list for 20 years and have witnessed their hard work, their smart and strong interventions to create a space for mutual learning, His warmth on the list maintained respect for the other in the discrepancy. Although I never get to know personally, he always will continue living in me as an example.

I will always remember Dr. Ivan's warmth, humor, practical wisdom, insight, recipes, photographs, jokes, love of family, purple pen, collection of New Yorker cartoons, assessment scales and multi-colored fleece pullover. My heart goes out to his family and to all those grieving the loss of this wonderful, wonderful man.

Dr. Goldberg: your caring talents have been felt and appreciated by many. Your tour here is done. May you rest in eternal peace.

I am a member of the psychopharm on-line list initiated and moderated by Dr. Goldberg. His wisdom, wealth of knowledge, kindness and high ethical standards will be greatly missed by countless practitioners throughout the world.

So many of us learned so much from Ivan. He created a community of psychiatrists and other mental health practitioners who contributed to the intellectual and professional growth of colleagues  There was no competition, no back-biting, only teaching, learning and sharing.  We all were much improved due to his leadership, creativity and wisdom.  I know I am.  I will miss you, Ivan.

Besides being a trusted mentor, he became an instant friend after meeting him face to face in Philadelphia, in 2012.

Though I never met Ivan, I have been a list member for many years and his knowledge and caring have been an example to me in my own practice. My thoughts and prayers to the Goldberg family in this hard time.

Ivan was the perfect antidote to a solo practitioner being alone. The listserv provided  information, support, and a community. Suddenly,you are in a group practice.
Jay Press( Boston)

Ivan was a great man and a great psychiatrist. I hold the highest respect for him. I knew Ivan through his psychopharm listserv which over 15 years has sharpened my thinking and my professional skill. My deepest condolences to his family.

Without Ivan's website and list serve, I would not be the psychiatric practitioner I am today. Ivan responded to the first case I posted which gave me the feeling that my patients and I were, and would be, supported by practitioners with great minds and much experience. God bless you Ivan for your wisdom, generosity, and kindness.

I am but one of the countless multitudes of people you have touched through your wisdom, kindness and generosity.

G-d speed  dear Dr. Ivan K. Goldberg, M.D.

OBITUARY

Ivan K. Goldberg

April 14, 1934 – November 26, 2013

Wanamaker & Carlough Funeral Home

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