Mathew Conrad Friedemann

1946 - 2022

Mathew Conrad Friedemann "Doc," age 75, passed away Oct. 31, 2022.
Matt was born in Detroit to Conrad and Anna Friedemann on December 14, 1946. He graduated from Cranbrook School in Bloomfield Hills where he lettered in both Soccer and Ice Hockey. He attended Oakland University and then went on to The University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry. He moved to Tawas in 1976 and opened a dental practice. He loved being a dentist and caring for all his patients up until his retirement in 2015.
Matt married Donna, his wife of 29 years, and raised their three children together. When he moved to Tawas he fell in love with sailing and became a very active member of the Tawas Bay Yacht Club. He continued to race and sail for many years, and in retirement with sailing life "in irons" his affection transitioned to time spent on the golf course. He was a youth soccer coach and continued to coach high school soccer for many years. He developed a special ability to connect with players and was rewarded throughout the years with his former soccer players stopping him around town to tell him what a positive impact Doc had on them growing into young adults.
Matt was also an accomplished photographer with many photographs published and endless pictures taken on family trips, which paired well with his passion to travel the world with his family. Doc passed on this passion for travel and new experiences to all his children who embrace every new adventure with his travel motto to "expand your horizons" held dear.
Cooking was another life long hobby, culminating in a detailed and personalized Friedemann family cookbook that he created and gifted to his family. It will provide lasting memories and countless satisfied family guests, lucky enough to taste his famed olives & cheese or marinated steak apps.
Doc loved his family, but may have loved his pets over the years even more. From raising the family's first dog, Molly, at their Lake Huron home, to realizing that his large goldendoodle, Bella, needed a small companion Shih Tzu named Brutus, to wander the woods at the family cottage together. Doc cherished his dogs; his children carry on that love with four dogs and counting.
Everybody who knew Doc knew of his infamous "Doctails" over which many loving stories would be shared. He was a true mixologist, always perfecting his craft with a featured nightly "Doctail" and even more eager to share the secret recipe with others. He recently created a second recipe book combining his photography and mixology skills.
Doc was many things to many people, but above all he brought the people around him together through his stories. Boy could he tell a great story. IYKYK. He will live on in us through them always.
He is survived by his wife, Donna Brugger Friedemann; daughter, Katie (Justin) Grinnell; sons, Ryan (Elyse) Jacques and Tyler (Tom) Jacques; grandsons, Brennan and Beckett Grinnell; sister, Paula (Tim) Allgaier; and brother Konrad "Kit" (Lora) Friedemann. He was preceded in death by his father, mother, and sister Elisa Kienzle.
Any donations may be made to the Iosco County Humane Society.
A Celebration of Life will be held in summer 2023 in Tawas.