Richard L. Golden, former associate dean for administration at Princeton’s School of Engineering and Applied Science, died Jan. 23, 2007, at his home in Princeton. He was 76.
Golden joined the engineering school’s administrative staff in 1990 and retired in 2001. Serving as its chief operating officer, he supervised the large J-wing addition and the construction of the Friend Center for Engineering Education.
James Wei, professor of chemical engineering (and dean of the engineering school from 1991 to 2002) said Golden “was a very good engineer and made many fine contributions to catalytic chemical engineering. Dick was also a Renaissance man, who had a warm love and deep knowledge of literature, music, art and architecture. He was particularly excited during the many construction and renovation projects that we undertook.”
From 2001 to 2005, Golden continued to teach as a lecturer with the rank of professor in the chemical engineering department. In 1951, he had earned a bachelor’s from John Hopkins and in 1954 a Ph.D. from Princeton, both in chemical engineering. Prior to joining the Princeton staff, Golden held a series of vice-presidential positions within the chemical industry.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Judith; four children; and eight grandchildren.