Steven M. Goldstein

A link to view the livestream funeral service can be found here.

Steven M. Goldstein, husband, father, grandfather, brother, scholar, and teacher passed away on February 10, 2025, at the age of 84. Steve Goldstein was the Sophia Smith Professor of Government at Smith College for nearly 50 years, from 1968 until his retirement in 2016. He was widely respected for his groundbreaking work in the field of Chinese domestic and foreign policy, particularly his studies of Sino-American relations, Sino-Soviet relations, and the development of a Chinese Communist worldview. He taught thousands of students in these areas as well as in the general class, “Gov 100,” which he loved to teach.

After retiring from Smith College, Steve continued his academic endeavors as an Associate at the Fairbank Center and as the director of the Taiwan Studies Workshop at Harvard University. His career also included faculty appointments at the Tufts Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Columbia University, and the United States Naval War College. He was passionate about fostering understanding between China, Taiwan, and the United States and spent many years traveling to China and Taiwan, often in the company of scholars and government officials. He had a particular expertise in cross-straits relations between China and Taiwan., In addition, Steve was active at Hebrew University’s Truman Institute in Jerusalem, Israel, where he contributed to international academic and policy discussions.

In addition to his academic work, he was an avid traveler, exploring the world through his extensive research and personal adventures. Outside the world of academia, Steve was known for his love of sailing and his ability to engage in spirited and thoughtful debates—he truly enjoyed a good argument. He was a fierce competitor on the squash and tennis courts and was hard on ideas, but soft on people.

Steve is survived by his wife, Erika Kates; his son, Ken Goldstein; his daughter-in-law, Amanda Goldstein; his grandchildren, Samantha Goldstein and Nathaniel Goldstein; his sister and brother-in-law, Lois and Jerry Lowenstein; his nephew. Ben Lowenstein; his stepdaughter, Shira Kates and her daughter, Zella. He was predeceased by his parents, Nathaniel and Etta Goldstein and his son, Daniel.

A funeral will be held. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Brandeis Hillel and Harvard Hillel.