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EDWARD FRIEND Obituary


Edward Harry Friend  
A ground-breaking actuary and a force in the public sector pension community, died Tuesday, March 5, 2019 of natural causes in Boca Raton, FL. He was 90. He Founded Edward H. Friend and Co. in 1961, served as President of the Conference of Actuaries in Public Practice, and as a member of the Board of Governors for the Society of Actuaries. He was lauded as the principal and audit actuary for Calpers (the California Public Employee Retirement System), the New York State Pension Commission, and for his overhaul of the Massachusetts Teachers Retirement System. Altogether, his breadth of work aided millions of public employees throughout the country. A valedictorian and newspaper editor at East Orange, NJ, High School, he attended Princeton University, graduating Magna Cum Laude in 1950 with a degree in mathematics. He was a Lieutenant Jr. Grade in the US Navy serving in cryptanalytic endeavors in Washington, DC. Upon discharge, he began his decorated actuarial career serving as president of EHF and Co. until 1983 and then founding EFI Actuaries in January 1990. Friend is survived by his sister, Marion Merel, and her husband Leonard; his four children, Amy Friend Roberts, her husband, David, their children, Lee and Camille; Robert Ballin Friend, his wife, Maribel, their children, Alyssa, Brianna and Edward; Thomas Harry Friend, his wife, Robin, their children, Cole and Riley; Jennifer Friend-Kerr, her husband, Martin, and their children, Wesley, Lily, and Holly. He is also survived by his first wife and the mother of his children, Patricia Montague Friend, his second wife, Jane Bernstein Friend, and is predeceased by his third wife, Eleanor Ball Friend. A Memorial Service will be held in Washington, DC this June 2019. In lieu of flowers, please send contributions In Memoria to the Annual Fund of The Rotary Foundation at www.rotary.org

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Washington Post on Mar. 10, 2019.

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Chris Barnes

May 30, 2019

Heart felt condolences for the loss of your loved one. Met Ed several years ago in Washington DC at Capital City Club & Spa, he hired me as his Personal Trainer.
We shared fond and intimate moments during our sessions. Remarkable man! I've exclaimed "I wanted to be like you when I grow up" Refer to his tenacity often with my current and previous clients.
Loved Ed he'll truly be missed.

Graham Schmidt

May 13, 2019

Ed was an important mentor to me, and gave me an incredible opportunity that I will be eternally greatful for. He had an inspiring passion for his profession.

Flick Fornia

May 10, 2019

Ed, you were a giant in our actuarial field. I learned from your study note in the 1980's, and continued to learn from you throughout this century. You were insightful on actuarial methods and advocate of well funded pension plans. You built a strong company with a continuing legacy. Our profession and millions of retirees are better off thanks to your contributions.

Nancy Yomtov

March 23, 2019

I am saddened at the passing of my uncle Ted. I hope that my cousins will be comforted by keeping his memory in their hearts and minda.

E C

March 12, 2019

I am sorry that Edward passed away. God cares for your family. 1 Peter 5:6-7

Doug McDonald

March 12, 2019

I worked for Ed at E.H.Friend & Co. in Washington, DC for several years in the early 80's. Ed interviewed me and hired me and always treated me well. I enjoyed working for Ed and am sorry to hear of his passing.

March 11, 2019

We were saddened to hear of Ed's passing. Although our hearts are heavy we offer our sympathy to his family. It was a joy to know Ed & take him to church with us on Sundays. He truly enjoyed going to Victory & impressed us all with his dance moves. Rest in peace Ed. We will see you again. We know you are dancing on golden streets.
Love, Todd & Jana

Robert Friend

March 10, 2019

Dick Schreitmueller

March 10, 2019

As an actuary at SSA in the early 1980s, I helped Ed on technical issues. After his firm was acquired by Johnson & Higgins, he hired me in their Princeton office. I have fond memories of Ed as a pleasure to work with, always encouraging and helpful.

Robert Friend

March 10, 2019

Dad, Thank you. Thank you for giving us an amazingly rich and full life. You were thoughtful, you were loving, and you brought our family together in so many amazing ways...in our youth, and when older, with our families; You gave us the world in so many ways, and that's why we are all successes in life, driven in so many ways. You need to know that you did a great job and you were an amazing father, friend, and mentor. I love you from the bottom of my heart. I miss you so much and only wish we could have gone to dinner together one more time. I know you are in a special place beside Poppy (Popsicle), Mima, Ellie, and others from our familyYou always joked that I was a chip off the old block. Well, I see it every day and you will be near and dear to my heart for the rest of my life. I love you and will miss you always. Love, Bob

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