Elwood Goldberg

Elwood Goldberg, 85, passed away February 4, 2015 in Brenham. Elwood Goldberg was born February 13, 1929 to August and Emma Korthauer Goldberg. He was baptized on April 21, 1929 by Rev. C.A. Lehne at St. Paul Lutheran Church of Rehburg. He was confirmed on August 8, 1944 by Rev. Paul Czerkus also at Rehburg Lutheran. He attended grade school at the Rehburg School, and then attended Burton High School, where he was a 1946 graduate. On September 12, 1948 he was united in marriage to Ora Lee Bosse by Rev. E.H. Schwengel at the St. John Evangelical and Reformed Church now St. John''s United Church of Christ in Burton. Elwood spent his early working career as a route salesman, eventually joining the Carnation Milk and Ice Cream Company in February 1951. In 1954 he was promoted to route supervisor, and transferred to the Conroe facility. He transferred back to Brenham in late 1955, and remained as supervisor of sales until December 1964. He made a total career change when he joined the Brenham Police Department as a patrolman on December 15, 1964. Resigning that position over a controversial "no chase" rule enacted by city council, he then joined the Washington County Sheriff''s office on February 13, 1967. Under the leadership of then Sheriff Johnie Schulte, Goldberg rose through the ranks as a deputy, then chief deputy, and upon Schulte''s retirement, was elected sheriff in the 1976 primary. Goldberg resigned that position in 1985 to join Brenham National Bank in its then new location on South Day Street. After retiring from that position, he continued in many part time positions - as a court bailiff, a security guard, and as a driver for LaRoche Chevrolet. Many stories could be told of the things he saw during his tenure in law enforcement; some funny, some very tragic. Burglaries, robberies, drownings, manhunts, stake-outs, and shoot-outs – he saw them all. Whether it was a murder investigation, guarding a school as a result of a bomb threat, or a "gentle reminder" to teenagers that it was time to head home after a night on the town – he was devoted to his job. However, he had many hobbies and interests beyond the badge. He was a gunsmith and gun collector, and because he never met a stranger, he became friends with many of the exhibitors and customers at gun shows in Houston, Austin, and other venues. Hunting and fishing were favorite lifetime hobbies. He fished the creek banks of Cedar Creek as a youngster, and enjoyed trotline fishing in Lake Somerville after it was built. Every fall he looked forward to hunting trips to South Texas with his friends. Goldberg also loved to train and work with dogs. From the coon dogs of his youth, to his beloved bloodhounds Buck and Boo, to his "patrol partner" also named Buck he had a special bond with his canine friends. He and his family also enjoyed time spent working at their catfish farm. When age took its toll on his body, he enjoyed many games of dominoes with family and friends. Church was an important part of Elwood''s life, and he served numerous terms on the church council at St. Paul Rehburg. He also taught adult bible class, and even if he had been up most of Saturday night handling sheriff''s office calls, he was always there to teach his class. He also shared his faith by speaking at many of the churches in rural Washington County, and also spoke to 4H and youth groups. Funeral services for Elwood Goldberg are scheduled for 10 a.m., Saturday, February 7, 2015 at St. Paul Lutheran Church of Rehburg, with Pastor Denise Seymour officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 until 8 p.m. Friday evening at Memorial Oaks Chapel. Elwood was preceded in death by his parents, and by his daughter, Agnes. He is survived by wife, Ora Lee of Burton, Daughter Debbie of Burton, and Grandson Caleb of Burton. He is also survived by a brother and sister-in-law , Wilburn Butch and Anntlee Goldberg of Brenham and brother-in-law and sister-in-law Ben and Barbara Bosse of Brenham. Also surviving are four nieces and their husbands: Lois and Doug Wise of Magnolia, Sandra and Jeff Gritter of College Station, Christine and Keith Muehlbrad of Burton, and Amanda and Jonathan Prior of Brenham, as well as numerous cousins and great-nieces and nephews. Memorials may be directed to St. Paul Lutheran Church of Rehburg, Washington County Sheriff''s Office, Washington County EMS, Hospice Brazos Valley, or to your favorite church or charity. Serving as pallbearers are Jerry Merten, Darrell Plagens, Larry Levien, Roy Hubert, Johnnie Jezierski, Larry Thomas, James Chuck Thomas, and Mike Budell. Honorary pallbearers are Billy Rosenbaum, Mark Kramer, Mike Herzog, longtime friend and hunting buddy A. W. Hodde, Jr., and his goddaughter, Lois Wise. Funeral arrangements for Elwood Goldberg are entrusted to Memorial Oaks Chapel, 1306 W. Main, Brenham. To post a tribute to the family, visit www.memorialoakschapel.com.