STEPHEN FRIEDLAENDER

FRIEDLAENDER, Stephen Architect and patron of classical music Stephen Friedlaender, noted architect and supporter of classical music education, died August 19 of leukemia complicated by Covid-19. He was a founder and principal of HMFH Architects in Cambridge. He initiated and promoted their focus on school architecture, which lead to hundreds of projects in New England and beyond. Their first significant award was for the Brewster Elementary School, built under Steve's leadership in 1976 (the Walter Taylor Award). He was an active member of the Boston Architectural College for more than 25 years, serving on its Board of Directors, as an Overseer, and chairing committees on Development, Continuing Education and Long Range Planning. He was elected Fellow of the American Institute of Architecture. As George Metzger, partner at HMFH reminisced, "Steve's generous and selfless spirit of engagement fostered deep connections and friendships not only among partners and newly minted interns at the firm, but also among client, construction, and engineering partners." Music education and particularly The New England Conservatory of Music became his focus later in life. He was Life Trustee and Chair of the Board of Trustees (2008-2012). He served as a mentor for students and supported many through the Friedlaender Family Presidential Scholarship. He also played a pivotal role in the construction of NEC's Student Life and Performance Center. NEC's President Andrea Kalyn notes, "Steve was an extraordinary, kind, and warmly generous person, and a much-loved member of our NEC family. All at NEC are so grateful for his many years of leadership, support, and care, grounded in his deep love of music and his commitment to our students. We will miss Steve tremendously." He was born in New Orleans in 1935, raised in Greensboro NC, graduated from Phillips Exeter Academy ('53), Harvard College ('57), Harvard Graduate School of Design ('61), and lived in Newton and finally Cambridge. He is survived by Nancy O'Connell; brother Jonathan; sons, Lucas and Nathaniel; and 7 grandchildren. Visiting Hours: A Memorial Service is planned for mid-October at the New England Conservatory of Music.

View the online memorial for Stephen FRIEDLAENDER