Charles Nathaniel Friedman

Charles Nathaniel Friedman Chas Friedman always said he was born at an early age, but sadly for all who knew and loved him, he also died at too early an age. He was born in New York City on June 10, 1946, and was sung out of this life on November 4, 2006, surrounded by his family and close friends. Since 1973 Chas was a professor in the math department at the University of Texas at Austin, and he recently received the Teaching Excellence Award from the college of Natural Sciences. He earned an undergraduate degree from Cornell and Ph.D. from Princeton in mathematical physics. His favorite topics were probability and, more recently, statistics, which he regularly taught in addition to calculus. Chas was the best husband and father, a gifted mathematician and teacher, an extraordinary musician, an avid poker player, and a loyal friend. He saw the best in everyone and encouraged them to strive for excellence, as he did himself. Chas thrived on learning, teaching himself everything from Texas fiddle to Japanese, from silversmithing to pedal steel guitar. He enjoyed playing instruments and singing in the church choir, shopping in bookstores and teaching his grandchildren ridiculous first words like "gunk". Above all else, he cherished his wife and soul mate, Rae, and his loving family: his children Naomi, Noah, Lari, Nikki, Ryan, and Thanh; their spouses Matt, Tom, Dave, Laura, and Ari; and grandchildren Taryn, Joshua, Caiden, Cameron, Drew, Joaquin, Kieran, Helen, Adam, and Jackie; and his mother-in-law Mary. Chas deeply appreciated the loving presence and support of Rev. Dr. David Barker as well as the church family at First Presbyterian in San Marcos. Chas was a collector, and always had at least three of everything ... keys, trumpets, fish tanks, exploding cigars and the like. He also collected corny jokes. For example, he told his doctor this one: "My doctor told me I had six months to live. I told him I couldn't pay the bill, so he gave me another six months." And a recent favorite he heard soon after being diagnosed with cancer. "I'm worried I've become addicted to placebos. I'd try to give them up, but I don't know if it would make any difference." A service in celebration of his life will be held at First Presbyterian Church in San Marcos on Wednesday, November 8, 2006, at 2:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Music Memorial Fund at First Presbyterian Church, 410 West Hutchison, San Marcos, Texas 78666. Arrangements are under the care and guidance of Pennington Funeral Home, 323 North Comanche, San Marcos, TX 78666, 512-353-4311.