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Michael Wulf Friedlander Ph.D.
1928 - 2021
BORN
1928
DIED
2021
FUNERAL HOME
Michael Friedlander Obituary
Friedlander, Michael Wulf, PhD
born on November 15, 1928, passed away on April 29, 2021. He was the most beloved husband of 62 years of Jessica Friedlander and the very loving father of Rachel (Neil) Tickner, Silver Spring, MD and David (Sheryl) Friedlander, Kensington, MD. His dear grandchildren, Noah Friedlander, Jonathan Tickner and Rafael Friedlander adored him.
Michael was preceded in death by his parents, Rose and Hirsch Friedlander and his sister, Ruth Friedlander, all of Cape Town, South Africa.
He received his Bachelor's and Master's degree, with honors, from the University of Cape Town and his Ph.D. from the University of Bristol, England. He remained at Bristol as a junior faculty member and came to Washington University in 1956 to replicate the Cosmic Ray Laboratory that he had known in Bristol. He did intensive work in the Washington University Physics Laboratory, and was beloved by his students. He was very active with university affairs, serving as Chair of the Faculty Senate during the unrest on campus and president of the local chapter of the American Association of University Professors and vice-president of the national AAUP. He was an active member of the Committee for Nuclear Information, which through its Baby Tooth Survey, advocated for the above-ground Nuclear Test Ban Treaty of 1963. He initiated a series of lectures for lay people, the Saturday Science lectures, which have continued to be enjoyed and well-attended. This lovely man will be deeply missed by his family and friends.
Services: A private funeral service will be held Sunday, May 2 at 11am Central Time. Please visit bergermemorial.com for Live Stream link. Memorial contributions can be made to Chai South Africa (which cared for many Friedlander relatives at Highlands House, Cape Town) at: https://www.chaisouthafrica.com/donate-now/.
BERGER MEMORIAL SERVICE
Memories and Condolences
for Michael Friedlander
Timothy J. Linkul
October 24, 2022
I met Dr. Friedlander at the Saturday Free Lectures
at Washington University Physics Dept. I would talk to him after lectures. One time he told me to go with him to his office to tell me the Space Shuttle program was going to be stopped. I was
shocked because I had not heard it. I would talk to
him on campus at the Campus Book Store, or other places on campus. I vaguely remembering
the research he was doing in space with cosmic rays, when I was going to UMSL for a Biology Degree. I started my interest in space when the
Apollo Missions were on TV when I was in Grade
School in 1969 when the astronauts landed on the Moon. I am still interested in Space to this
day. Not only what NASA missions do, but the
spinoffs that come from the missions, and the
research before, and after results are studied.
Leah Rubin
May 6, 2021
Dear Jessica, you have remained in my heart since we first met in 1977. Your impact on my family was beautiful and real. And I am so terribly sorry that you have lost Michael. Whenever you spoke of him, you glowed. My heart goes out to you and your family. (You might remember me as Leah Rubin Sandler.)
Glynn Young
May 5, 2021
My post about Dr. Friedlander is here: https://dancingpriest.com/2021/05/05/the-legacy-of-a-teacher/
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Leslie and Jerry Popelka
May 3, 2021
Please accept our sincere condolences.
Sue Fischlowitz
May 3, 2021
Dear Jessica and family,
We are so saddened to hear of Michael´s passing. We send all of you our deepest sympathy and love, Sue Fischlowitz & David Roberts
Jacques, Denise & Allan Telio
May 3, 2021
Dear Jessica,
It is with great sadness we learned of Michael's passing.
We appreciated his good advice
and thank you for all your kindness towards Allan when he was at Wash U.
Our sincere condolences.
Jacques, Denise and Allan Telio
Glynn Young
May 2, 2021
I had Dr. Friedlander for the first course I took in a new masters program at Washington University in 1983. The course was "Science, Creation Science, and Pseudo-Science," and he was a wonderful teacher -- engaged, kind, respectful, and with a wry sense of humor. My experience with his class convinced me to continue the program, and I later took a second class with him on the history of science. He also served as one of the professors for my oral discussion a month before graduation. He was always, always the gentleman.
Kay Schechter
May 2, 2021
My thoughts snd love are with you all
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