Ben M. Goldstein, 76, of Beaumont, died Wednesday, February 1, 2012, at Baptist Hospitals of Southeast Texas, Beaumont.
A native of Beaumont, he was born on May 18, 1935, to Sylvia Lipschitz Goldstein and Esidore Goldstein. Ben graduated from Beaumont High School and attended Lamar University and started his career with Lykes Steamship Company and later worked with the Port of Beaumont.
In 1965, he was appointed Deputy Director of the Port of Port Arthur and on September 1, 1985, Ben was appointed the Director of the Port of Port Arthur.
Mr. Goldstein started his career in the maritime industry after his Honorable Discharge from the U.S. Army in 1957, with Lykes Brothers Steamship Company. He later worked at the Port of Beaumont for four years leaving there to go to work at the Port of Port Arthur on July 1, 1965 as the first Deputy Port Director.
Mr. Goldstein was appointed Port Director for the Port of Port Arthur on September 1, 1985, the position he held until he retired at the end of 2000.
He was admired and respected throughout the maritime industry and served in various positions in that industry as well as local civic clubs.
He was past President of the Texas Ports Association, on the Board of Directors for the American Association of Port Authorities and Chairman of the Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce Waterway Committee. He was also a member of the Port Arthur Jaycees, Port Arthur Sertoma Club, and the Propeller Club of the Sabine, where he was named as the Propeller Club Man of the Year in 1989, and the Sabine District Transportation Club.
Survivors include his cousins, Benard Nelkin and his wife, Ethel, and Rita Blumenfeld, all of Houston, Shirley Reddoch of Port Arthur, Marian Quinn and her husband, Charles of Beaumont, Sandra Smith Herzstein and her husband, Randy and Joyce Garfinkel, all of Houston, Ronald Goldstein and his wife, Sandra of Moultrie Georgia; and lifelong friend, Jimmy Fertitta.
His funeral service will be 2:30 p.m., Friday, February 3, 2012, at Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin Avenue, Beaumont, with burial to follow at Kol Israel Cemetery, Beaumont.
Pallbearers will be Jimmy Fertitta, Alan Sampson, Hal Bean, George Bean, Orlando Ciramella and Floyd Gaspard.
Memorial contributions may be made to Temple Emanuel, 1120 Broadway Street, Beaumont, Texas 77701-2199 or the organization of choice.
