Lev Goldenberg

Lev Goldenberg – beloved husband, father, and friend – passed away peacefully at home in Houston, Texas, on the evening of Monday, May 12, 2025, at the age of 64. He was surrounded by love in the home he built with his family, a fitting reflection of the life he lived: open-hearted, full of warmth, and deeply rooted in devotion. Born in Baku, Azerbaijan, Lev – known to many as Leva or Levik – was raised by the sea as the only child of Rafael and Lora Goldenberg. Though spoiled by his loving parents, he earned every ounce of affection with his magnetic humor, fierce loyalty, and endless generosity. A self-proclaimed “bad student” with too much charm to fail, he somehow always found a way to win hearts and land on his feet. When his education from Azerbaijan State Oil and Industry Academy was later translated to American university standards, it was equivalent to a master’s-plus degree – just shy of a PhD. Lev was a brilliant and respected professional, eventually becoming Executive Vice President of Newtech Services. But it was never titles that defined him – it was how he made people feel. A natural mentor, a fierce protector, and a man of endless generosity, he offered his time, wisdom, and even the shirt off his back to those in need. He was the kind of person you could call at 3AM – and many did. Lev’s laughter was legendary. It didn’t just fill the room – it lifted it. Watching him laugh, with tears in his eyes and a boyish grin on his face, brought more joy than the joke itself. He was sarcastic, blunt, and unapologetically himself, but always with a glimmer in his eye and love in his words. His wit was sharp, his hugs unshakable, and his loyalty unwavering. He was a loving, tender-hearted husband to Irina and devoted father to Bella and Naum. He was also a second father, older brother, and wise friend to so many who crossed his path. His home was a gathering place, his heart always open. Lev was preceded in death by his parents, Rafael and Lora, and his beloved son, Naum, whom he carried in his heart every single day. He also joins his in-laws, Konstantin and Sophia Piskovoy, with whom he shared mutual love and respect. Lev lived life with fullness and pride - relishing every sip of tea, every conversation, every moment spent with the people he loved. He never stopped learning or growing. He taught us, through example, what it means to live deeply and love endlessly. Though his laughter has quieted far too soon, the echoes of his joy will remain with us forever. Lev’s memory lives on in the stories we tell, the love we carry, and the lessons he left behind. A funeral service took place on Thursday, May 15, 2025 in the Sophia and Jack Bender Memorial Chapel at Beth Yeshurun Post Oak Cemetery, 7445 Awty School Ln., Houston, Texas, 77055.

Lev Goldenberg

August 15, 1960 - May 12, 2025