Val J. Golding founded Apple Pugetsound Program Library Exchange (A.P.P.L.E) in February 1978 with fellow Apple II enthusiasts Mike Thyng and Bob Huelsdonk at the behest of Max Cook, the local ComputerLand store manager.
In 1984, he left the group and went to Shreveport, Louisiana to work for another Apple-related magazine.
[citation needed] Golding also published several software packages over that time and took A.P.P.L.E from the beginning well into the phase where the group became a global operation specializing in software for all levels of users.
He was also known for his historical documents related to the San Francisco street cars as well as his musical endeavors.
Golding died after a long bout with cancer on 2 July 2008 at age 77.