Dr. Aaron Matthew Goldman, born in 1974 in upstate New York, son of Dr. Jeffrey and Roberta Goldman, died in a car crash in Flagstaff, AZ on August 21, 2023.
Aaron grew up in Oneonta, NY and pursued a career in medicine, earning his MD in 2003. He went on to practice child and adolescent psychiatry and most recently served as the Behavioral Health Medical Director at BCBSAZ HealthChoice of Arizona. In 2002 he met Sherri Gallagher, his wife of 18 years, and they started a family in Flagstaff, AZ where they shared their love of the outdoors and adventure – skiing, hiking, camping and traveling with their two children, friends and family.
Aaron’s strong sense of empathy and caring for others was ever-present both in his commitment to underserved populations in healthcare and in his interactions with friends and family. Aaron always put others first, had a genuine care and curiosity of everyone he met and had a lasting impact on the lives of those who spent any amount of time with him. Aaron had a lot left to give and he was tragically taken from us far too soon.
Aaron is survived by his wife, Sherri; children, Emmet and Leland; his parents, Jeffrey and Roberta; his sister, Adina; and a great number of loving friends and family.
The following is from Emmet Goldman:
My father was the most amazing dad I could ever had. I loved how he could always make my day better with just one hug or laugh. I love how he surrounded my entire family with this light that could make you get through the worst days. I will always love him in no way ever imaginable. I loved how he could have a deep conversation with you and he would just listen and help. When I got the news I was shocked I couldn’t believe what happened I lost the only person who made me so happy. The one thing I regret the most is that I didn’t hug him in the morning before he died. Now all I do is hold on to all the memories of the hugs I had with him. I am so thankful for all the support the community of Flagstaff has given me. In the past week I have seen so many signs that his sprit is still here and I am thankful for that. Reading all of the comments from so many people everywhere I can see how big of an impact he made all over the world and how he will be missed by everyone that knew him. I wrote a poem I would like to share because my dad loved reading them.
SEASONS
I will remember you in the winter for all of powder runs we did together
I will remember you in spring for all of the buds on the trees.
I will remember you in the summer for the camping trips we did together.
I will remember you in the fall most of all because of the red orange and yellow leaves fluttering off of the trees.
I will miss you forever but the seasons will remind me of you in every different way.
– Ananda Goldman, August 28, 2023