A Friend of Zion Lutheran Church of Helotes
(Pastor Jennifer Gold's father-in-law)

GOLD

Dana Lee Gold passed from this life in his home on August 17, 2002, at the age of 55 years.  He spent his childhood in Fredericksburg and graduated from high school in 1965.  He then went to Southwest Texas State University, where he was a member of Alpha Phi Omega Fraternity and was involved in the Bobcat Band.  Upon graduation, he taught at Robert E. Lee High School in San Antonio and then went on to be personnel and security director for Sommer's Drug Store; he later became personnel director at Sweeny and Company.  From 1988 to present, he was executive administrator at Tinsman, Scott and Sciano Law Firm in San Antonio.  Throughout his lifetime, Dana was an active community leader, serving in the following organizations: Optimist Club, Wurstfest Association, Hugh O'Brien Youth Foundation, Association of Legal Administrators, Communities in Schools, Chamber of Commerce, Festtage and an active member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, New Braunfels.  In all of these organizations, he served in many positions and held various offices touching the lives of everyone he met.  Dana was born to Wesley and Geraldine Gold on December 10, 1946 in Fredericksburg, TX.  He married Gretchen Eickelberg on February 6, 1971.  Survivors include his wife, Gretchen; sons, Christopher and wife The Rev. Jennifer Gold, Brandon and his fiance Kimberly Morrison.  He is also survived by his mother, Geraldine (Fritzie) Gold; sister, Diane Reeh and husband Larry; daughter, Stacey; sister-in-law, Laurie Eickelberg and numerous devoted friends.  He was preceded in death by his father, Wesley Gold and Ralph and Francis Eickelberg.  The Viewing will begin Monday, August 19, 2002 at 12:00 Noon at Doeppenschmidt Funeral Home in New Braunfels.  The family will be there to greet friends between 6:00 P.M. and 8:00 P.M. Funeral Services will be held Tuesday, August 20, 2002 at 2:00 P.M. at St. Paul Lutheran Church in New Braunfels, with The Rev. Dr. Charles DeHaven and The Rev. Judi Miller officiating.  Interment will follow at Guadalupe Valley Memorial Park.  Memorials may be given to the HOBY-Dana Gold Scholarship Fund at P.O. Box 781341, San Antonio, TX 78278.

DOEPPENSCHMIDT
FUNERAL HOME
189 N. Seguin Ave.
New Braunfels, TX
78130
(830) 625-3434

(San Antonio Express-News, August 19, 2002)


Gold, 55, had penchant for community service
Was an optimist even before he led the clubs

(By John Gutierrez-Mier, Express-News Staff Writer)

Dana Lee Gold never met a project he couldn't tackle, and he thrived on serving the community, from volunteering at Wurstfest to directing Optimist Clubs in the region.

"Give him a gavel and he was either president, secretary or treasurer," said his wife, Gretchen Eickelberg Gold.  "That was just him.  He loved to get involved in so many different things."

Gold died Saturday after a long battle with cancer. He was 55.

Born in Fredericksburg to an original German pioneering family, Gold met his wife when they were both students at Southwest Texas College, which is now Southwest Texas State University.

"He was very involved in different groups on campus.  He was a member of the Alpha Phi Omega fraternity, student government, and was a bass drummer in the band," his wife said.  "My roommate was also in the band, and that's how we met," she recalled.  The couple eventually married and moved to San Antonio before settling in New Braunfels in 1979.

After graduating from college with a degree in government and business, Gold did a variety of things, including a brief teaching stint at Lee High School.  He was a legal administrator at Tinsman, Scott and Sciano Law Firm in San Antonio until his death.  But it was his commitment to community organizations that friends and family say always amazed them.

"He was always an optimist," his wife said. "He became involved with the Optimist Clubs in San Antonio.  At one point he was the district governor for the Optimist Clubs South Central Texas District."

Gold was also a volunteer "opa" for almost 20 years at Wurstfest.  "He served on various committees.  He liked being around lots of people and helping them out during Wurstfest," his wife added.

His son Brandon Gold, of Dallas, recalled family outings at Lake Dunlap and Canyon Lake.  "We had a boat and water skiing was always a big part of what we did," Brandon Gold said.  "He taught me and my brother how to ski.  He had a great sense of humor and all of my friends loved him."

His other son, Christopher Gold, of Helotes, said his father certainly left behind a legacy.  "He taught me the importance of family, commitment and community involvement," Christopher Gold said.  "He also taught me how to be a leader in the community."

Besides his wife and two sons, Gold is survived by his mother, Geraldine Gold; a sister, Diane Reeh; and a niece, Stacey Reeh, all of Fredericksburg.

A funeral service will be at 2 p.m. today at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 181 S. Santa Clara Ave. in New Braunfels.  Burial will follow at Guadalupe Valley Memorial Park, 2951 Texas 46 South, also in New Braunfels.

(San Antonio Express-News, August 20, 2002)

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