Dr. Samuel R. Freiberg, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and pioneering plant physiologist whose work spanned continents and decades, passed away on September 28, 2016, in Rockville, Maryland. He was 92.
Born on April 14, 1924, in Long Island, Queens, New York—though raised on Staten Island, New Jersey—Sam was the eldest of four children born to Jewish immigrants Abraham and Dora Weinstein Freiberg. From humble beginnings, he rose to become the first in his family to attend college, earning a bachelor's degree in science from Rutgers University in 1948. His academic journey continued with studies at the University of New Hampshire and Biarritz American University during World War II, culminating in a Ph.D. in plant physiology from Rutgers. He later served as a visiting fellow at Cornell University from 1957 to 1958.
Sam's life was marked by service and resilience. During World War II, he joined the U.S. Army's 280th Engineer Combat Battalion. Despite being initially deemed unfit for combat due to his eyesight, he became a reconnaissance agent—the "eyes of the battalion"—and served with distinction in the Battle of the Bulge, earning three Battle Stars.
In 1949, Sam married Marcy Freiberg after being introduced by his sister Julie and Marcy's friend. Their union marked the beginning of a lifelong partnership filled with adventure and purpose. In the early 1950s, they moved to Honduras where Sam conducted agricultural research for the United Fruit Company. It was there that their son, Raymond Lawrence Freiberg, was born in 1954.
By the late 1950s, the family had relocated to Needham, Massachusetts, where their daughter Nancy was born in 1959. Sam continued his work with United Fruit until 1965 before transitioning to a new role as vice president of IRI Research Institute—an organization founded by David and Nelson Rockefeller. This position brought the family to Princeton, New Jersey in 1966.
In 1979, Sam accepted a position with the World Bank and moved with Marcy to Chevy Chase, Maryland. At the World Bank, he played an instrumental role in establishing agricultural research centers across the globe. Over his lifetime, he traveled to 52 countries and took great pride in the global impact of his work.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Sam was deeply engaged with his community and personal passions. A longtime member of Cedar Lane Unitarian Church, he participated actively in its science and religion group and enjoyed playing bridge with fellow members. He also belonged to The Fossils—a distinguished Washington-area men's group—the Audubon Society, and the Jefferson Cafe Group.
A passionate birder and past president of the Montgomery Bird Club, Sam often shared this love with others—especially his granddaughter Emily Robertson—with whom he attended bird banding expeditions. His appreciation for nature extended to a fondness for snow and classical music. Known for his generosity and cheerful demeanor, Sam remained intellectually sharp well into his nineties.
He held steadfast political convictions throughout his life as a liberal Democrat and advocate for progressive causes.
Sam is survived by his son Raymond Lawrence Freiberg of Palo Verdes Estates, California; his daughter Nancy Freiberg Robertson of Bethesda, Maryland; Nancy's husband Jon Mathis; and his granddaughter Emily Robertson of Boston, Massachusetts. He is also survived by his sister Julie Freiberg Finkelstein and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends who cherished him deeply.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Marcy Freiberg earlier that same year; his sister Anne Freiberg Shulman; and his brother Alex Freiberg.
Dr. Samuel R. Freiberg leaves behind a legacy of scientific achievement, global service, familial devotion, and enduring curiosity about the world around him. May his memory bring comfort to those who knew him and inspiration to those who follow in his path.
Born on April 14, 1924, in Long Island, Queens, New York—though raised on Staten Island, New Jersey—Sam was the eldest of four children born to Jewish immigrants Abraham and Dora Weinstein Freiberg. From humble beginnings, he rose to become the first in his family to attend college, earning a bachelor's degree in science from Rutgers University in 1948. His academic journey continued with studies at the University of New Hampshire and Biarritz American University during World War II, culminating in a Ph.D. in plant physiology from Rutgers. He later served as a visiting fellow at Cornell University from 1957 to 1958.
Sam's life was marked by service and resilience. During World War II, he joined the U.S. Army's 280th Engineer Combat Battalion. Despite being initially deemed unfit for combat due to his eyesight, he became a reconnaissance agent—the "eyes of the battalion"—and served with distinction in the Battle of the Bulge, earning three Battle Stars.
In 1949, Sam married Marcy Freiberg after being introduced by his sister Julie and Marcy's friend. Their union marked the beginning of a lifelong partnership filled with adventure and purpose. In the early 1950s, they moved to Honduras where Sam conducted agricultural research for the United Fruit Company. It was there that their son, Raymond Lawrence Freiberg, was born in 1954.
By the late 1950s, the family had relocated to Needham, Massachusetts, where their daughter Nancy was born in 1959. Sam continued his work with United Fruit until 1965 before transitioning to a new role as vice president of IRI Research Institute—an organization founded by David and Nelson Rockefeller. This position brought the family to Princeton, New Jersey in 1966.
In 1979, Sam accepted a position with the World Bank and moved with Marcy to Chevy Chase, Maryland. At the World Bank, he played an instrumental role in establishing agricultural research centers across the globe. Over his lifetime, he traveled to 52 countries and took great pride in the global impact of his work.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Sam was deeply engaged with his community and personal passions. A longtime member of Cedar Lane Unitarian Church, he participated actively in its science and religion group and enjoyed playing bridge with fellow members. He also belonged to The Fossils—a distinguished Washington-area men's group—the Audubon Society, and the Jefferson Cafe Group.
A passionate birder and past president of the Montgomery Bird Club, Sam often shared this love with others—especially his granddaughter Emily Robertson—with whom he attended bird banding expeditions. His appreciation for nature extended to a fondness for snow and classical music. Known for his generosity and cheerful demeanor, Sam remained intellectually sharp well into his nineties.
He held steadfast political convictions throughout his life as a liberal Democrat and advocate for progressive causes.
Sam is survived by his son Raymond Lawrence Freiberg of Palo Verdes Estates, California; his daughter Nancy Freiberg Robertson of Bethesda, Maryland; Nancy's husband Jon Mathis; and his granddaughter Emily Robertson of Boston, Massachusetts. He is also survived by his sister Julie Freiberg Finkelstein and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends who cherished him deeply.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Marcy Freiberg earlier that same year; his sister Anne Freiberg Shulman; and his brother Alex Freiberg.
Dr. Samuel R. Freiberg leaves behind a legacy of scientific achievement, global service, familial devotion, and enduring curiosity about the world around him. May his memory bring comfort to those who knew him and inspiration to those who follow in his path.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Samuel Freiberg, please visit our flower store.
Samuel Freiberg's Guestbook
Visits: 17
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors