People You Should Know: Dan Goldstein

AGE: 47 YEARS LIVED IN COLUMBIA: 10 ORIGINAL HOMETOWN: Lafayette, Ind.
JOB DESCRIPTION: I do research in the area of computational fluid mechanics and atmospheric modeling.
EDUCATION: Bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Purdue University, master’s in mechanical engineering from the University of Massachusetts, doctorate in mechanical engineering from the University of Colorado
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: I am currently a member, and soon to be former chair, of the Columbia Vision Commission, and I have been involved in the citizen-run parts of the Vision process all the way through. I am also chair of the Columbia/ Boone County Environment and Energy Commission and vice chair of the Columbia Comprehensive Plan Task Force.
PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND: I started my professional life as a dishwasher and then moved up to being a machinist at a campus job shop at Purdue University. From there I worked as a specialist taking care of UNIX computers and then workstations and PCs in the engineering schools at Purdue. After that I traveled to France with my wife, who is French. I eventually went back to school and completed my degrees.
A FAVORITE RECENT PROJECT: I would say working to help Tracy Greever-Rice in her campaign for the 4th Ward Council seat was a great project to be part of. Coaching my youngest son’s Lego League team was also a great project. They did well, and I learned that coaching 12-year-olds can be somewhat like herding cats. They are smart and creative but sometimes hard to get going in the same direction.
A COLUMBIA BUSINESSPERSON I ADMIRE AND WHY: It is hard to pick one person, but I’d say Paul Sturtz because he has been part of creating a local business that has brought culture, entertainment and jobs to Columbia. On top of that, Paul decided to serve his community on the Columbia City Council.
WHY I’M PASSIONATE ABOUT MY JOB: I am trained as a scientist and engineer, but my passions have been increasingly toward working to preserve and improve Columbia’s quality of life. As a scientist and engineer, I am interested in the numbers of a policy. What does it cost? What do the numbers that are public say about the numbers that are not made public?
IF I WEREN’T DOING THIS FOR A LIVING, I WOULD: I have been thinking recently that I would be happy sailing along the Caribbean from the Bahamas to South America for a few years. Anyone have a sailboat they could lend me?
BIGGEST CAREER OBSTACLE I’VE OVERCOME AND HOW: I’m a dreamer who is still trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow up. I promise I will let everyone know as soon as I figure it out.
WHAT PEOPLE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THIS PROFESSION: Working in numerical modeling involves long hours of concentration in front of a computer; it’s not a career for social people. As for my volunteer profession, I would say patience and persistence are the primary skills required.
WHAT I DO FOR FUN: I walk with my dog, Daisy, in the woods almost every morning and take pictures. I have been a Contra dancer on and off for 25 years. It is always the most social way to get exercise and meet fun people. I also like just hanging out with my kids and family, cooking, hiking or camping.
FAMILY: I am married to Claire Baffaut, who is also a research scientist who works for the federal government here in Columbia. We have two boys: Cyrille, who is graduating from Rock Bridge High School this June; and Luc, who is at Smithton Middle School. I also have my friend and companion Daisy, who is a fine mix of all the most important breeds. Daisy came to us from the Columbia Humane Society.
FAVORITE PLACE IN COLUMBIA: The Grindstone Nature Area
ACCOMPLISHMENT I’M MOST PROUD OF: Raising two sons. They are lots of fun to be around, and they have grown to be great young men. They are also the source of my passion for working for a sustainable and livable Columbia and world.
MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW THAT I… read mostly hard science fiction. I like it because I like exploring ideas of how the near, and far, future will unfold.