Herman
Freudenberger
1922-2017
Professor Herman Freudenberger, PhD., passed away on February 10, 2017 after a lengthy illness. Professor Freudenberger was born in Eberbach, Germany in 1922 and escaped the Holocaust in 1934 thanks to a little known American Jewish foster program which allowed him to join the Berlozheimer family in Chicago, Illinois. He volunteered for the U.S. Army at age 19 to fight against the Nazi malignancy in his birth country, honorably discharged as a Staff Sargent Millitary Intelligence, in 1946. He received a B.A., Masters in History and Doctorate in Economics from Columbia University. After a 30 year career at Tulane University in New Orleans, he followed his sons to Texas, eventually landing in Houston. He was a family man, an unassuming, honorable man and highly published scholar who counted Nobel Laureates among his friends. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Paulette, his two sons, Alfred Freudenberger and his wife Michelle, Joe Freudenberger and his wife Laura, and his four grandchildren, David, Ellen, Jacob and Julia. In lieu of flowers, Mr. Freudenberger's family requests that memorials be made to OakBend Medical Center, 1705 Jackson St., Richmond, Texas 77469 www.oakbendmedcenter.org/philanthropy/. Funeral services will be held on Friday, February 17, 2017 at 11am in the chapel at Houston National Cemetery, 10410 Veterans Memorial Drive.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of E.P. Compean Funeral Directors, 1223 Sixth St., Rosenberg, Tx 77471. 281-238-4443

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Published by Houston Chronicle on Feb. 15, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for Herman Freudenberger

9 Entries

Maureen Feran Freedland

October 31, 2024

I came across Dr. Freudenberger's name while researching Czech archives about my mother's Czech family. My mother was Jean Feran, born in Czechoslovakia, and she lived with my father Fred on Napoleon Ave. in New Orleans until Hurricane Katrina uprooted them. My mother tutored Dr. Freudenberger in Czech in preparation for a trip he made, and I remember both of them jovially sitting at her kitchen table talking about Europe which they both still loved even after the traumas of WWII. I realize I didn't really know anything about him until I read this obituary -- and it is very impressive. If there is a family member who is curious about how I came across his name again, you can e-mail me at [email protected]. From Maureen Feran Freedland, Oct. 31, 2024.

Christine Mueller

November 20, 2017

I just finished Professor Freudenberger's book Lost Momentum, and I so wish that I had read it in time to talk to him about it. His work really shows how the Habsburg Empire came to prominence during a rather brief period of rapid economic growth. So many historians of the 18th century assume that Berlin was bigger and more important than Vienna. Vienna was in fact about five times the size of Berlin and a major financial and economic center. The Napoleonic period dealt body blows to Austria's development, and although it continued in the 19th century, Prussia did overtake it quite quickly. Thus, perhaps, the general view that Austria was always slow and peripheral.
From this work I gained alot of Professor Freudenberger's deep understanding of the period of "proto-industrialization" in Austria. Several times I completely reversed my view or enhanced it tremendously.
Thank you Professor Freudenberger. I wish I had met you!
Christine Mueller

February 24, 2017

May he rest in peace and his memory be a blessing.
David Streusand

Katherine Davis Ricca

February 15, 2017

Thank you forever, Dr. Freudenberger, for your contributions to Tulane University and society at large. You will be remembered always.

Seth Crone

February 15, 2017

Joe, may your father's name be written in the Book of Life.

Herman visiting my dad some 23 years ago. Dad Herman told me how much he enjoyed getting to know you! Miss you both so much.

laura freudenberger

February 14, 2017

Me lovin on Herman at the hospital

laura freudenberger

February 14, 2017

anquienetta dickerson

February 14, 2017

Professor Herman was such a dear sweet man. I knew him as a result of coming to the Howard-Tilton Library at Tulane University. I looked forward to his warm smile and his hip walk. We held many conversations throughout his years at Tulane. Before he left Tulane, he came to the library and gave me a picture to remember him by. I would often think of Prof. Herman. May you RIP dear sir and the family has my condolences.

February 13, 2017

Our sympathy go out to you Jeremiah 29. 11 & 12.

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