Robert Friedman

Friedman, Robert Passed away on November 7, 2013, surrounded by his loving family and his dedicated caregiver Maria Lucia Whitehead, at the Lawlis Family Hospice/Columbia St. Mary's Ozaukee. Beloved husband for 56 years of Carole (nee Raison) Friedman. Loving father of Daniel (Mary) of Fairfield, CT; Ellen (Joe) Ruble of Greenwood Village, CO; and Michael of San Francisco, CA. Proud grandfather of Matthew, Rachel and Joseph Friedman and Thomas, Eric, Genevieve and Joie Ruble. Further survived by other relatives and many good friends. Robert was born in Brooklyn in 1931 the son of the late George and Diana Friedman. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in business/merchandising from City College of New York. After graduation, he was drafted into the U.S. Army and served two years in the Korean War. Robert began his retail career at the Boston Store in Milwaukee, where he met his wife, Carole. They were married in 1958. Friedman rose through the retail ranks, with stints at Davison's in Atlanta, Lit Bros. in Philadelphia, Woodward & Lothrop, in Washington DC. Friedman later moved to Washington-based Hecht Co., a division of The May Co., as Vice President /GMM, which launched his 20 year career at May Co. He later became President and CEO of L.S. Ayres, based in Indianapolis and then President and CEO of Famous-Barr in St. Louis. He completed his career in New York City consulting for several apparel firms, including Kasper and Tahari ASL before retiring in 2002. He loved to spend his free time reading, attending the theatre, traveling the world with his wife Carole and enjoying devoted time with his children and grandchildren. He remained close with his boyhood friends from Brooklyn, affectionately known as the "Saxons", throughout his lifetime. He was always known as a caring and good person. A Memorial Service honoring Bob's life will be held on Sunday, November 17 at 1:30 PM at Congregation Emanu-El B'ne Jeshurun, 2020 West Brown Deer Road, River Hills. Rabbi Marc Berkson officiating. Family will greet friends at a reception following the service. Interment at St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery in Waukesha will be private for the family. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to the American Diabetes Association, 375 Bishop's Way, Suite 220, Brookfield, WI 53005 . A memorial for those that want to pay their respects is on Facebook at "Remembering Bob Friedman".