LEON J. FRIEDMAN

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University of Massachusetts

LEON FRIEDMAN Obituary

FRIEDMAN, LEON J. Col. Leon J. Friedman, USAF (Ret.) passed away in Chicago on September 13, 2010, one month before his 90th birthday. Born in The Bronx, New York, he traveled the world as a military officer before retiring to San Diego, California, in 1987. He most recently joined his two sons in Chicago where he spent the last six weeks of his life. He joined the army at the age of 19, and was in flight training when the U.S. entered the war on December 7, 1941. Col. Friedman flew fighter planes in North Africa, was an instructor pilot, and later helped prepare for the D-Day invasion. He received the bronze star with oak leaf cluster, among other medals, for his service in World War II. After the war, he married Rita Staal in a union that lasted for 54 years. His last two Air Force assignments included a foreign tour as an air attachÃ© at the American embassy in Brussels, Belgium, and a position as head of Air Force ROTC at the University of Massachusetts during the Vietnam War years. After retiring from the Air Force in 1970, he began a second career as a college professor of economics at Springfield Technical Community College. During this period he also developed a love for tennis, a passion that would continue for 40 years. Tennis - both playing and watching - along with building and flying radio control model airplanes became hobbies pursued until the very end of his life. He resided in Del Mar, California with Rita until her death in 2001. He stayed there for the next nine years, with the support of his family and his dear friend Deanna Robison, until health issues required him to move to Chicago to live near his sons. He is survived by two sons, Greg and John, both clinical psychologists in Chicago; his daughters-in-law Lynn and Brenda; and by three grandchildren: Nicholas, Emma, and Andrew. A memorial will be held later this year in San Diego. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Air Force Aid Society at 241 18th Street #202, Arlington, VA 22202 or at www.afsa.org.

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Published by San Diego Union-Tribune on Oct. 10, 2010.

Memories and Condolences
for LEON FRIEDMAN

2 Entries

Larry and Diane Samson

October 12, 2010

I was happy that my wife, Diane, was able to meet my Uncle Leon this past November. We shared many fond memories of his life and immensely enjoyed our visit with him. Leon will always be remembered for the kind, intelligent, generous, loving human being that he exemplified. You bet!

Leon and son John at recent tennis practice

October 11, 2010

An obituary with a bit more information than the published notice.
Col. Leon J Friedman, USAF (Ret.) passed away in Chicago on Sept. 13, one month before his 90th birthday. Born in The Bronx, New York, he traveled the world as a military officer before retiring to San Diego, California, in 1987. He most recently joined his two sons in Chicago where he spent the last six weeks of his life.
Col. Friedman first worked as a runner in the garment district of New York City, but dreamed of the wonders of flight. He joined the army at the age of 19, and was in flight training when the US entered the war on Dec. 7, 1941. Graduating in 1942, Col. Friedman flew fighter planes in North Africa. After the Africa campaign, he returned to the US as an instructor pilot before moving to England to help prepare for the D-Day invasion. Following Allied forces to the continent and the liberation of Paris, he spoke of driving a jeep on the Champs Elysees and realizing that his was the only vehicle on the famed avenue. He received the bronze star with oak leaf cluster, among other medals, for his service in World War II.
After the war, he married Rita Staal in a union that lasted for 54 years. He re-enlisted in the Air Force and served for a full 30 years. His last two assignments included a foreign tour as an air attaché at the American embassy in Brussels, Belgium, and a position as head of Air Force ROTC at the University of Massachusetts during the Vietnam War years. During the student protests and campus strike in 1969, the ROTC building was occupied by students opposed to the Vietnam War. Col. Friedman engaged in dialogue with the protestors and pointed out that their concerns would be more readily addressed by a civilian university education of future military leaders, such as ROTC provided.
After retiring from the Air Force in 1970, he began a second career as a college professor of economics at Springfield Technical Community College. During this period he also developed a love for tennis, a passion that would continue for 40 years. Tennis – both playing and watching- along with building and flying radio control model airplanes were to be hobbies pursued until the very end of his life.
He resided in Del Mar, California with Rita until her death in 2001. He stayed there for the next 9 years, with the support of his family and his dear friend Deanna Robison, until health issues required him to move to Chicago to live near his sons. He is survived by two sons, Greg and John, both clinical psychologists in Chicago; his daughter-in-laws Lynn and Brenda; and by three grandchildren: Nicholas, Emma, and Andrew. A memorial will be held later this year in San Diego. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Air Force Aid Society at 241 18th Street #202, Arlington, VA 22202 or at www.afsa.org.

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