Sigmund Freeman

1933 - 2021

Sigmund Arnold Freeman
1933 - April 10, 2021
Sigmund Arnold Freeman, 88, passed away peacefully on April 10, 2021 at his home in San Francisco after a three-month battle with post-acute COVID-19 syndrome. He is survived by his beloved wife, artist Janet Donald ("Donnie") Partridge, whom he met on a ship to Europe in 1958. He is also survived by his first cousins Analee Nunan and Rabbi Bernard J. (Yetta) Robinson, and was predeceased by his first cousin Arlene (Paul) Nathan. He is greatly missed by the Robinsons' children, Daniel, Naomi and Micah.

Born in San Francisco and raised in the city by his parents, Harry and Lillian Freeman (née Greenfield), Sig graduated from Lowell High School in Jan. 1951. He earned bachelor's and master's degrees in civil engineering from the University of California, Berkeley and maintained life-long friendships with members of his college fraternity, Pi Lambda Phi. Sig became an internationally recognized expert in seismic engineering, developing influential technical models and analytical tools. He was known by colleagues as a generous mentor who had an insatiable curiosity and delighted in finding clever solutions to complex engineering problems, and is remembered by family and friends for his easy-going conversations and his passion for travel, both professionally and with Janet.

Sig's distinguished career as a structural engineer began with the California Division of Highways (Caltrans) during the construction of the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge and the Embarcadero Freeway. He then worked for 15 years at John A. Blume and Associates (later URS/Greiner) and for over 35 years at Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates (WJE). He performed on-site earthquake damage assessments following the Alaska (1964), San Fernando (1971), Loma Prieta (1989), and Northridge (1994) earthquakes. Sig contributed to many seismic design projects, including the development and testing of methods to predict earthquake damage and the drafting of codes for earthquake-resistant construction. He also updated military seismic design manuals and taught for the Army Corps of Engineers. Sig received professional accolades as senior principal with WJE, including Design Awards from the California Preservation Foundation for the seismic retrofits of San Francisco's historic Congregation Sherith Israel and the Alcatraz Cellhouse, and served on the City of San Francisco Building Inspection Commission.

In 2010 Sig and Janet moved to The Carlisle retirement community in San Francisco, where he served as president of the Homeowners Association and was instrumental in guiding several major repair projects. Among residents, Sig was beloved for his gentle warmth and quiet good humor. Friends knew they could rely on him to create, on a moment's notice, a graph or a spreadsheet that would clarify the most complicated of issues. "We will miss his skills, his great smile and his big heart," said one longtime friend and fellow resident.

Funeral services were privately held through Sinai Memorial Chapel. Memorial donations can be made to the Jewish Community Federation or a charity of your choice.