Harold Goldsmith

Harold David Goldsmith (born Hans Goldschmidt), known as Hal (July 20, 1930 – March 13, 2004) was an American Olympic foil and epee fencer.[1]

For other people named Hal Goldsmith, see Hal Goldsmith (disambiguation).
Harold "Hal" Goldsmith
Personal information
Birth nameHans Goldschmidt
Born(1930-07-20)July 20, 1930
Gensungen, Felsberg, Hessen, Germany
DiedMarch 13, 2004(2004-03-13) (aged 73)
New York, New York, United States
Sport
Country United States
SportFencing
Event(s)Foil and Epee
College teamThe City College of New York
ClubFencers Club
Medal record
Men's fencing
Representing  United States
Pan American Games
Gold medal – first place1951 Buenos AiresIndividual Foil
Gold medal – first place1951 Buenos AiresTeam Foil
Silver medal – second place1955 Mexico CityTeam Epee
Silver medal – second place1955 Mexico CityTeam Foil

Early and personal life

Goldsmith was born in Gensungen, Felsberg, Hessen, Germany, and was Jewish.[2][3][4][5][6] In 1938 when he was eight years old, his family fled Germany and immigrated to Manhattan.[3][2] He attended Stuyvesant High School.[3] He served as an officer in the United States Army.[3]

In 1956 he married DelRene Millner and had sons John and Bob. In 1964 they moved to Ardsley, New York, and in 1991 they moved to Chilmark, Massachusetts.[3]

Fencing career

Goldsmith fenced for the Fencers Club in New York.[2] He attended The City College of New York.[3] Goldsmith won the 1952 NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) foil championship.[7] He was inducted into the CCNY Athletic Hall of Fame in 1970.[8]

He won the individual gold medal in foil in the 1955 Pan American Games and 1959 Pan American Games, and a team gold medal in foil in 1959.[3][2] Goldsmith also won silver medals in both team foil and team epee in 1955.[2][9]

Goldsmith was a member of three Olympic fencing teams, competing for the United States in 1952 in Helsinki, in 1956 in Melbourne, and in 1960 in Rome.[3][9] The entire USA Foil Fencing Team at the 1956 Olympics was Jewish, with the other Jewish fencers being Daniel Bukantz, Albert Axelrod, Nathaniel Lubell, and Byron Krieger.[10][11]

At the US National Championships, Goldsmith won medals in 1952, 1957, and 1960.[9]

Hal Goldsmith died in New York City at the age of 73.

References
  1. "Harold Goldsmith Olympic Results". sports-reference.com. Archived from the original on 2020-04-17. Retrieved 2010-09-26.
  2. "Hal Goldsmith Bio, Stats, and Results," Olympics at Sports-Reference.com.
  3. "Harold D. Goldsmith, 73 Was Executive, Athlete," The Vineyard Gazette - Martha's Vineyard News.
  4. Bob Wechsler. Day by Day in Jewish Sports History
  5. Paul Taylor. Jews and the Olympic Games: the clash between sport and politics: with a complete review of Jewish Olympic medallists
  6. Bernard Postal, Jesse Silver, Roy Silver. Encyclopedia of Jews in Sports
  7. "NCAA Fencing Champions". Archived from the original on 2002-02-23. Retrieved 2011-01-03.
  8. ""alumniassociationccny.org"". Archived from the original on 2015-04-02. Retrieved 2012-10-16.
  9. "Biography for Harold Goldsmith"
  10. Jews and the Olympic Games: The Clash Between Sport and Politics : With a Complete Review of Jewish Olympic Medallists. Sussex Academic Press. 2004. ISBN 9781903900888.
  11. Vecsey, George (December 2, 2007). "A Righteous Recipe for Longevity". The New York Times.
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