R. K. von Goldstein

Major Ralph Kenneth von Goldstein, (25 July 1909 – 18 March 1979) was an Indian educationist. He is primarily known for his stint as the headmaster of the Bishop Cotton School in Shimla, from 1963 till 1976.

Biography

Background R.K. von Goldstein belonged to the von Goldstein family, which had had a long association with Shimla. He descended from Felix Carl von Goldstein, Director of Music to the Viceroys of India. Felix von Goldstein acquired much wealth, as evident from his purchase of two major properties of 19th century Shimla, Benmore and Wildflower Hall. The association of his descendants with Shimla ended with R.K. von Goldstein's death in 1979. Frank von Goldstein later served as the second headmaster of Yadavindra Public School, Patiala from 1950 to 1968. In his memory, the school holds the Colonel Frank von Goldstein Memorial Debate.

Education

R.K. von Goldstein initially studied at Lawrence College in Murree. He then attended Bishop Cotton School in Shimla, where he was the house captain of Ibbetson House in 1927. After school, he went on to study at Cambridge University, where also he was elected into the Hawks Club.

Career R.K. von Goldstein served as a Major in the Army Ordnance Corps of the British Indian Army during the Second World War and was awarded the War Service Award. He was also appointed a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire in the 1946 Birthday Honours. R.K. von Goldstein and Benazir Bhutto at Bishop Cotton School, Shimla (1972) He taught at Bishop Cotton School in Shimla in the 1930s, and after that he went on to teach at Aitchison College in Lahore. He returned to Bishop Cotton as headmaster in 1963, a position he held until 1976. In 1972, Benazir Bhutto visited Bishop Cotton while R.K. von Goldstein was the headmaster. He is the only Old Cottonian who has been headmaster at the school.

Memorials In his memory, the school holds Major R.K. von Goldstein Memorial Cricket Tournament.