Charles Nathaniel Friedman

In 1991, I was a UT student (Mechanical Engineering undergraduate) from Singapore when I met Dr. Friedman in Math Department discussing about the Maths subjects which I knew the subjects well. Dr. Friedman was the one that guided me and adviced me that I could place out the math courses without taking the classes. This led me to place out all the math courses in UT for the whole Mechanical Engineering undergraduate program. 1 thing that I remember Dr. Friedman told me : If you have the capability, you do not need to follow the standard way! Just do it your way!

Thank you Dr Friedman for impacting a young man's life with your wisdom and guidance. Even in the year 2021, I still share our meetings and discussions with my 4 sons. I want to bring them to meet you when I returned to Austin but sadly, you have left.

May you rest in peace in Heaven and thank you for being a blessing to our lives.

I was telling a friend about my Calculus Prof, "Friedman" as we affectionately called him, and that caused me to google him and find out that he had passed.

The story I was telling my friend was that one day in 1977 (Calc I) when we were all having a hard time with the subject matter of the day, Charles decided we all needed a breather. He told us a few funny stories about himself and then left us with one of my favorite quotes of all time, "people think mathematicians are people that can solve really hard algebra problems, but the reality is we are trying to figure out how to solve problems people have not thought of yet."

I went on taught for many years, and I would be so proud to have influenced one of my students to the degree that "Friedman" did me.

Charlie's first wife and my ex-wife went to and graduated from UT School of Nursing together. We had many wonderful meals and experiences together. I was shocked to find this obit today. Charlie showed me no mercy at chess, so I did likewise at checkers. RIP my friend.

RIP. He was a great man.

I'm so sorry to hear about this loss.
I knew Charles in the 80's meanwhile i returned to Austin...I have good memories of our friendship. May his soul rest in peace.

Miriam B. Wymam

Finding this came as a great shock. I have know Prof. Friedman since 1973, but hadn't heard from him for a few years, and was trying to find him when I saw his guestbook.

My condolences to his family.

I had Professor Friedman over the summer. One of his best traits was his dressing style. He wore a hawaiian shirt everyday!! That gave his entire personality away...laid-back and funny yet very intelligent. I was hoping to have him again. I'm sorry UT lost a great professor. My sympathies go out to his whole family.

I believe that I met Charlie in 1975 -- just after he bought his first pair of cowboy boots. He was an exceptional colleague.

I met Dr. Friedman for the first time this summer, having him for differential equations. He was one of the most generous, light-hearted and caring professors I've ever had. Right before he left school, he was helping me understand what I had missed on the final exam at the end of the summer. I was flipping through my notes just now and saw the linear first order equation about greater mass leading to greater terminal velocity..with a smiling stick person holding an umbrella as he plummeted to the earth. Haha! I was supposed to have him for statistics theory this spring... I will surely miss him.

My deepest sympathy goes out to the Friedman Family.
The tender words of Jesus Christ when he said at Matthew 5:4 " Happy are those who mourn,since they will be comforted. This comfort is the hope of seeing our loved ones again, on a paradise earth. What a JOY to see Mr. Friedman again in GOOD HEALTH on the paradise earth. Once again my deepest condolences.

Dr. Friedman was one of the best prof's that I have ever had. Before taking his math classes I had very little confidence in my abilities. He brought out the best that I had and was a really great man.

I was a mathematics student in one of Dr. Friedman’s classes in 1979, and enjoyed his course very much. To this day I still remember a particular question on one of his exams, the surprising answer to which illustrated his imaginative mathematical mind.

I am sorry to hear that the university has lost a talented and charismatic professor in the prime of his career.

Charles Friedman was the most interesting, talented, and brilliant professor I had the opportunity to study under. His dedication and love for mathematics rubbed off on his students. The UT math department has lost an irreplaceable employee and friend. My condolences go to his family and friends during this time of sadness. Let us not grieve over the loss of a truly special person, but celebrate his life. Thank you for everything you have taught me Dr. Friedman, God bless.

Dr. Friedman,

Thanks for making UT feel a bit smaller despite the long waits for office hours. I meant to stop by at some point this semester and ask you if a nonorientable manifold can be made to play like a trumpet.

As you so hilariously stated in lecture this past summer after erasing the board, I too am puzzled because "Sometimes I wonder what happens to equations when they're erased."

427K summer '04
427L summer '06

Papa was my grandfather. I will always miss him. I hope he's as happy now as he was when I said Gunk and Slobadonblobivich. I love you Papa!

Dr. Friedman helped me out tremendously throughout my four years at UT. I would always try to get into his classes each semester, because I enjoyed his style and because he was very helpful outside of class. When I needed his support in going to grad school, he was there to give me advice and provide recommendation letters. Thus, he has played a major part in my life's path, and this is something I will never forget. I truly honor this man and feel his passing is a loss to everyone. My thoughts and prayers are with his family. We will miss you.

I am so sorry I never had the oppertunity to meet Charles, but from what I had heard from my partner he was a remarkable and talented man who's kindness touched everyone he met. I want to express my deepest condolences to all his family and friends whom I look forward to meeting in the near future.

Dr. Friedman was a wildly popular professor whose students would camp outside our advising office as early as 7:00 a.m. in hopes of being added to one of his courses!

My thoughts go out to his family and friends at this sad time.

We were so sorry to hear about Chas from Mac. I'm glad Harriet got to meet him when you visited the UK in the summer. Our thoughts go to you all.

Chas was a very special person, he will be greatly missed by his extended family in the UK. We will miss you.

Dr. Friedman was a warm, kind, and generous teacher whose deadpan sense of humor kept the class light-hearted. He would muse aloud on whatever came to mind, asking questions such as, "What happens to an equation when you erase it from the chalk board? The chalk dust just gets spread around, but what about the soul of the equation?", or, "What if I stood behind this chalkboard and suddenly disappeared - poof! - in a cloud of smoke? Students would just exit the classroom, sort of confused." It was all in the delivery.

He took time to make the material clear when I was confused, and talked to his students as peers. Will really miss this guy.

I feel touched to have been taught by Professor Friedman. His class was very special, and I enjoyed getting to know him in office hours. The University of Texas, and the Hill Country, has lost a very special man. He will be remembered.

Please accept our deepest sympathies.

Rae, Our thoughts and prayers go out to you and all of the family. Chas was such a special person. We have lost a friend.

427K and 427L just won't be the same. He will be missed by all.

Former student 1995 & 1996

Our thoughts are with the Friedman family during this very sad time.

Prof. Friedman made me feel good about studying mathematics. It didn't seem worth it if someone else was teaching it.

I am so so sorry about Chas. He was a very special person. I'm glad I had the opportunity to know him. He will be greatly missed.