Bernard F. Friedman's Obituary
Bernard J. Friedman Prominent Tucson architect, Bernard J. Friedman, a Tucson resident for more than 66 years and a founding member of the architecture and engineering firm Friedman & Jobusch, died June 21, 2012. He was 96. Mr. Friedman was born of immigrant parents and raised in Chicago, Illinois. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Architecture from the University of Illinois in 1938. Mr. Friedman first came to Tucson in 1940. During World War II he enlisted in the Navy and served as a Construction Officer with the U.S. Navy Civil Engineer Corps in the European Theatre between 1942 and 1946. After the war, he returned to Tucson in 1946, shortly after his marriage to the former Irma Rumizen. He loved becoming part of its civic community and adding beauty to growing Tucson. "We all worked together - Democrats and Republicans - for the good of the community." He also cared for his mother, who had moved there in 1938. During the Korean conflict, he was called back to Washington, D.C. to serve as Coordinator for the Engineering & Technical Services Division, Bureau of Yards and Docks from 1951 to 1953. He and Irma then returned to Tucson and made it their permanent home. Their Calle Elena and Skyline Drive homes, which he designed, were the setting for many gatherings of friends and family. He loved being around people and his life was rich with a host of friends. In 1956 Mr. Friedman formed a partnership with Fred H. Jobusch, a professional engineer, and the firm of Friedman and Jobusch, Architects & Engineers, was established. For over 40 years, he specialized in designing commercial buildings in the Tucson area. While Mr. Friedman is perhaps best known for the sculptural sweep of the Chase bank building on the corner of Broadway and Country Club Road, he is also responsible for many of the important buildings throughout Tucson and Arizona. He was most proud of the many buildings he designed for the University of Arizona including the College of Medicine, the Agricultural Sciences Building, the Physics-Math-Meteorology Building, the Pharmacy-Microbiology Building, and the Chemistry Building. His firm developed a specialty in public school architecture, an aspect that resonated with his civic pride. In addition to designing for the University of Arizona, his work included Pima College, Sahauro High School, Canyon del Oro High School, Donaldson Elementary School, and Katherine Van Buskirk Elementary School. Mr. Friedman's projects covered a broad range of commercial, civic and municipal buildings including the Tucson Community Center (now the Tucson Convention Center); Tucson Music Hall; Tucson City Hall; Astro-Physics, Environmental, Electronic, Instrumentation, Computer and Optical Laboratory facilities for Kitt Peak National Observatory; the El Con Shopping Center; and the Chris-Town Mall in Phoenix. The Plaza International Hotel, Aztec Inn, and El Dorado Lodge were also part of his architectural contributions. He designed the current home of Temple Emanu-El, the first synagogue in the Arizona Territory, and was a member of the temple until his death. Other religious buildings he designed include Congregation Anshei Israel, St. Albans Episcopal Church, St. Mark's Methodist Church, and Streams in the Desert Lutheran Church. Throughout his life, Mr. Friedman was involved in numerous civic, volunteer and charitable organizations, although his family, including his extended family, superseded everything. It was hard for him to say "no" because of his deep interest in many different types of activities. Bernard and Irma actively followed U of A sports, and often traveled with the football and basketball teams. Among his many organizations, Mr. Friedman was the president of the Southern Arizona Chapter of the American Institute of Architects, was a Member of the Architectural Advisory Committee of Pima County, Arizona, was the Architectural Advisor for the Tucson Jewish Community Center, was a member of the Board of Directors of the Tucson Botanical Society, the Tucson Chamber of Commerce, the Tucson Festival Society, and a Member of the City of Tucson Building Code Review Committee. He also was a member of the University of Arizona Foundation, The Presidents Club of the University of Arizona, and The Wildcat Club. He loved nature and enjoyed traveling, especially to locations where there was a beach. He also loved landscape design and often incorporated landscape into his projects. In retirement he was an accomplished watercolor painter, an interest he first developed upon graduating college when he opened a small art studio in Silver City, New Mexico. He retained his twinkle, wit, and zest for life to the end. Mr. Friedman was surrounded by people who loved him. His wife of 59 years, Irma, preceded him in death in 2005. Survivors include his three children, Diane Vallentine and her husband, George Siegfried, Steve Friedman and his wife, Vicki and Jeff Friedman and his wife, Barbara Boleslawski and his grandson, Christopher Linn. He leaves behind nieces, his brother-in-law, and many members of his extended family whom he loved dearly. He will be dearly missed by his wonderful and loving caregivers of the past seven years, Maria Cirerol and Frances Soto. A Memorial Service will be held at the Sanctuary at Temple Emanu-El, 225 N. Country Club Road, on Sunday, June 24, 2012 at 2:00 p.m.; interment will follow at Evergreen Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider donations to the Tucson Botanical Society. Arrangements by EVERGREEN MORTUARY.
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