Michael Golben

Beloved Husband, Father, Grandfather & Great-Grandfather Michael Golben, Ph.D., age 97, passed away on Saturday, January 8th, at The Homestead in Maplewood. Michael was born in Rochester, New York on November 22, 1913, the oldest of three children born to Peter and Mary Golben (changed from Golembiowski at Ellis Island). His parents and younger siblings, Olga (Golben) Valvano and Marvin, preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife Norris and all six of his children, Jan (John) Kronholm, Myke (Torreh), Peter Mark (Pam), Shelley (Doug) Brough, John Paul, and Ted. He is also survived by six grandchildren, Nathaniel, Laura, Matthew, Mikhail, Nikolai, and Michael Lawrence Brough, and a great-grandchild, Malakai Golben. Born of immigrant parents, who came to the United States from the Ukraine in the early 1900's, he did not learn English until he entered kindergarten. He excelled in school and was valedictorian of Benjamin Franklin High School in Rochester, NY, where he wrote the school alma mater that was still used until just a few years ago. He received two scholarships enabling him to attend Cornell, where he graduated with degrees in Chemistry (1936) and Chemical Engineering (1937). During WWII, he was employed by American Viscose Corporation, developing tire cord for the B52 bombers. There he met his wife in Front Royal, Virginia. In 1949, he was awarded the first doctorate in Chemistry from the University of Kentucky in Lexington. He returned to work as a research scientist at American Viscose in Marcus Hook, PA. In 1959, he brought his family to Minnesota, where he worked for 3M and received several patents, and retired after 18 years. After retiring, he enjoyed teaching at 916 Vocational Technical School. He loved playing tennis, and taught many people how to play during his retirement in Florida. He instilled the love of tennis in his children. He also had a love for theater and art, and acted in several community and church productions. And he had a love of classical music. In 1995 he and his wife began an endowment scholarship fund for North St. Paul High School graduates. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Golben Scholarship Fund at the St. Paul Foundation, or to Lake Owasso Residence Inc. Memorial service Thursday, January 13th at 11:00 AM (Visitation starting at 10:00 AM) at HOLCOMB-HENRY-BOOM-PURCELL FUNERAL HOME; 515 W. Hwy 96 at Mackubin, Shoreview. Interment Oakland Cemetery.

Tributes

Michael Golben

November 22, 1913 - January 8, 2011

Tributes

Michael Golben

November 22, 1913 - January 8, 2011

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