LTC SAM FRIEDMAN To TAPS

Robert Gerald Friedman (LTC, USA Ret)

Robert G. Friedman (aka Curly, Jerry, Sam, and monikers otherwise), 89 passed on December 1, 2022 at home. Wife Shirley was by his side.

Sam was born at Cook County Hospital in Chicago IL on November 10, 1933 to Marion & Charles Friedman. He lived in Ironwood MI for five years thereafter. He attended grade school at St. Hedwig orphanage in Niles IL, St. Ambrose high school in Ironwood MI, and St. Norbert College in De Pere WI. Sam enrolled in AROTC in college, received a USA reserve commission upon graduation, and entered service into the Signal Corps. Initial assignment was at Ft. Devon MA, and then the I G Farben Building, Frankfurt FRG (intelligence, communications). There, he met his future bride, Shirley Jean Collins, a USANC nurse from Kadoka SD, and they married in 1956. Upon discharge, Sam and Shirley moved to Wild Rose WI where Sam taught high school mathematics and history. In that time, sons Gerald Russell (1957, Kadoka SD) and Michael George (1959, Wild Rose WI) were born. After two years, Sam opted to return to active duty with a regular commission for a USA career.

Sam’s initial assignment upon return to the military was Ft. Sill OK (Field Artillery School). Two years in, he transferred to the Finance Corps and attended school at Ft. Benjamin Harrison IN (Army Finance School). Assignments thereafter included Ft. Eustis VA, ASCOM City (Seoul) KR, Ft. Gordon GA, Camp Zama JP (payroll, FECOM), Saigon VN (payroll, funding and allocation, currency stabilization, MACV), Ft. Harrison (Finance Center), Ft. Leavenworth KS (Command and Staff School), and Ft. Monmouth NJ. In that time, daughters Terese Gerean and Danette Jean (1960 and 1961, Ft. Sill) and son Kevin Mark (1962, Ft. Eustis) were born. Sam retired from the USA in 1977 at the rank of LTC with 24 years of service. He was a proud veteran, and proud to point out Shirley’s status as a veteran as well.

Upon retirement from USA, Sam worked at Indiana Department of Public Welfare (chief accountant), 1977 to 1984, and then for the federal government at Ft. Harrison IN (Bean Federal Center, formally the Finance Center), 1984 until full retirement, 2008 (IT et al, to include restoration of DOD IT services at pentagon, immediate aftermath of 9-11).

Retirement years were spent in Indianapolis IN, and short duration in St. Joseph, MI where he passed.

Sam had many stories: of his youth, as “man of the house at his grandmother’s”, speaking Polish, sneaking into Green Bay Packers games, pocket watches, and fishing on Lake Superior; his relationships with his mother Marion and brother George, and finding his father’s tombstone in Chicago; formative years in MI with aunts and uncles and cousins, and Copper Peak; his path to college and into the military, and time therein for characters and experiences; new-found family he sought out (to include sisters and nieces and nephews) in his latter years (and for the internet and DNA); and life in general. Sam maintained numerous friendships and relationships through his years.

Sam rose above adverse circumstances of his youth. He was an athlete in high school. Forever a Packers fan, he donned that brand as much as US Army (retired) gear. Sam was mechanically inclined, turning wrenches at Ft. Harrison auto craft shop with regulars and maintaining a fleet of vehicles for the family. He bowled, was tech savvy, and worked to stay fit and healthy. He supported (with) his wife, children and grandchildren, and extended and adopted families in endeavors for education, attendance at high school and college athletic events, at graduations, and at every turn otherwise. Sam instilled a sense of accomplishment, responsibility, and purpose into the family.

Sam is preceded in death by father Charles Friedman, mother Marion Augustine; brothers and sisters Vic and Bill Bulinski, George Augustyniak, Roachelle Cerney (Clem), Samuel and Solomon Friedman, Hinda Friedman; and numerous members of extended family. Sam is survived by wife Shirley, children Russ (Gail), Michael, Terri Masuda, Dani Oertel (Gary), Kevin (Lori); grandchildren Dane Masuda (Brittany), Kelsey Bock (Austin), Abbey; great grandchildren (David, Siah, Evee Masuda; Hezekaiya Bock); sisters Ethyl Russ, Beryl Baer, and Dianne Hara; and numerous members of extended family.

Friends and family to gather from 10am until 11am, on Friday, December 30, 2022 at Flanner Buchanan – Washington Park East, 10722 E. Washington Street, Indianapolis. Memorial service to follow immediately thereafter. Inurnment will be at Black Hills National Cemetery, Sturgis SD, date and time to be set.