Edgar R. Goldenberg

Class of 2000

Ed was born in Philadelphia, PA in June of 1931, graduating from Lower Merion Senior High School in Ardmore, PA before earning a B.S. in commerce from The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina.

A graduate of the U.S. Air Force Intelligence Officers Course, USAF Squadron Officer’s School, USAF Command and Staff School and the U.S. Naval Strategic Intelligence Officers Course, Ed served his country for 2 1/2 years on active duty with the Alaskan Air Command and an additional 19 1/2 years in the active reserves as an intelligence and disaster control officer.

In June of 1954 he married Carolyn, raising four daughters: Marcy, Mindy, Diane and Lauren.

Ed’s 43-year career in candy began in 1957 when he joined the family-owned Goldenberg Candy Co. as a Philadelphia area salesman. Ten years later, he partnered with Franklin S. Chase, to form the candy brokerage firm of Chase-Goldenberg Assoc. Ed marks the sale of his interest in the company to his partner and close friend as one of the most memorable moments in his career.

In 1976, he returned to Goldenberg Candy Co. as sales manager, holding positions of increasing responsibility until becoming co-chairman/CEO, a position he held at the time of his induction. Ed his success in the industry to those he has worked with, including his family and many outstanding brokers across the country.

Ed is a two-term past president of the Confectionery Salesmen’s Club of Philadelphia, served on the International Trade Advisory Committee for the Secretary of Agriculture of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and has been a board member of the Pennsylvania Automatic Merchandising Association and the NCSA. He has also been named a Candy Ambassador by the NCWA and received its Dean of the Industry award. In 2000, Ed was inducted into the Candy Hall of Fame.

An active member of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, Ed has served the organization in a number of senior positions, including service as trustee and national vice-chairman of the United Jewish Appeal, where he helped raise hundreds of millions of dollars for domestic and overseas needs. In recognition of his contributions, he has been honored by B’nai Brith Har Sinai Lodge, B’nai Brith Food Trades Lodge, The Chapel of Four Chaplains, the Jewish Theological Seminar of America and the American Jewish Congress. In addition to these honors, a park in Ramat Gan, Israel, has been dedicated in his honor.

Edgar passed away May 3, 2020.