Dr. Alan Freid

Dr. Alan Freid obituary

Dr. Alan Freid

Alan Freid Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers from Feb. 16 to Feb. 17, 2011.
MASON - His take-home pay came in the form of homegrown tomatoes and an occasional jug of moonshine.

Every Monday for more than 20 years, Dr. Alan Freid - after retiring from Veteran's Hospital - hopped in his car and made the 250-mile trip to rural Harlan County, Ky., where he spent four days treating dozens of patients in one of the poorest communities around.

"He loved the work down there and it wasn't for the money," said his son, Josh Freid of Linwood. "He got paid in anything you can imagine. And he did it because the people down there were poor. He did it out of the kindness in his heart. In the end it really kept him going."

Dr. Freid, who shut down his rural practice about 18 months ago, died Monday at Christ Hospital following a brief illness. He was 82.

An immigrant from Poland, Dr. Freid settled in Avondale with his parents and siblings in the early 1930s before Nazism and anti-Semitism took root in his homeland and left his grandparents and cousins dead in the concentration camps.

After graduating from Hughes High School, Dr. Freid put himself through the University of Cincinnati and then medical school at UC by working as a salesman at Getz Jewelers.

For the next 25 years, Dr. Freid practiced medicine at Veteran's Hospital in Cincinnati while he tried off and on to start a private medical practice and raised his family in Symmes Township.

"It didn't work out for him. He tried to work half days at the VA and half days at private practice. It just never was a good fit," Josh Freid said.

But, the opportunity re-emerged after Dr. Freid retired. It came in a special request from his brother-in-law who lived in Harlan County.

The local physician had died or moved away, leaving the community without medical care, Josh Freid recalled.

"He said, 'Come down here. I'll put you up in an apartment for six months. Try it out. If you like it you can stay.' I think he started out seeing five patients a week and inside of six months he was seeing 40 or 50 or 60," Josh Freid said.

So back and forth he traveled every week despite a body that started crumbling as he got up in years.

"He had spinal surgery. He had open heart surgery and a hip replacement. But he kept working," his son said.

He left the practice at age 80 in the wake of worsening health issues.

Other survivors include his wife of 51 years, Patty of Mason; daughters, Rachelle Baruch of Mason, and Stephanie Freid of Tel Aviv; son, Andrew Freid of Oakland, Califhis .; sisters, Esther "Babe" Kutas of Israel, and Paulette Dragul of Denver; and four grandchildren.

Services are 9 a.m. today at Weil Funeral Home, 8350 Cornell Rd., Symmes Township. Burial in Love Brothers Cemetery in Price Hill. Memorial donations may be made to Chabad Jewish Center, 3977 Hunt Rd., Cincinnati, Ohio 45236.

Written by Sheila McLaughlin | [email protected]

Sign Alan Freid's Guest Book

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February 26, 2011

Tip McNiel posted to the memorial.

February 26, 2011

Bridgette kimel posted to the memorial.

February 20, 2011

Ashlee posted to the memorial.

6 Entries

Tip McNiel

February 26, 2011

I worked in a pharmacy alongside Dr. Freid for 2 years and worked in the same small town (Harlan, KY) with him for many more years. I enjoyed his sense of humor and he was always willing to give my family the medical care we needed. He will be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.

Bridgette kimel

February 26, 2011

I am so very sorry Patti and the kids It is hard to know what to say But we are here for all of you! We sill consider you guys family
Love much Bridgette Parsons Kimel

Ashlee

February 20, 2011

Although I did not know Dr. Freid,this is what being doctor is all about. He was certainly a wonderful person. My sympathy to the family. Ashlee

Robert Dillon

February 17, 2011

I worked at the VA Hospital with Dr. Alan 1970-73. The guy was a hoot! He always had a joke and a kind word for his fellow employees. He often spoke of his family in coal country.

A life well lived.

February 17, 2011

dear patty , how sad jan and i are for you and all that knew the good doctor , ... "dr a" was a rare person indeed ; intelligent , funny , serious , genuine ... we feel so helpless being away but we are with you in heart and spirit ... cya in a few more weeks ... steve / jan bol , mason

Terri Henry

February 16, 2011

My deepest sympathies to you and your family in your time of loss.

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Sign Alan Freid's Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

February 26, 2011

Tip McNiel posted to the memorial.

February 26, 2011

Bridgette kimel posted to the memorial.

February 20, 2011

Ashlee posted to the memorial.