IN MEMORIAM: Bob Friedrich ‘86
The Rev. Dr. Robert Edmund Friedrich, Jr., Class of 1986, died peacefully on January 18, 2022 at Kaplan House in Danvers, MA surrounded by his family as well as the love and numerous prayers of dear friends.
Freidrich was born on May 24, 1948 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to his parents Mary Forsell and Robert E. Friedrich Sr. He grew up with his two younger brothers, Dennis and Norman in Upper St. Clair. His insatiable curiosity and passion for learning led to a lifelong educational journey. He studied philosophy at Houghton College, earned Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degrees at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, received his certificate in Anglican Studies from General, and just recently completed a Doctor of Philosophy degree at the University of Bangor in Wales.
He served a number of churches first as a minister in the Presbyterian Church and then as a priest in the Episcopal Church in Massachusetts, New York, New Hampshire, Connecticut and Nevada. Friedrich’s pithy, practical, and often humorous sermons helped make the Bible relevant and alive. Music was an essential part of his life and ministry. His eclectic tastes ranged from Willy Nelson to Rachmaninoff. A talented pianist, he used his gift in many settings including wandering to the piano during a sermon to illustrate a point, leading patients in song as chaplain in a forensic psychiatric center or making music just for fun. One of his greatest joys and strengths was helping people to connect with the next step of their spiritual journey with God. His loving, non-judgmental approach freed people to discover the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives and draw them closer to Jesus.
As co-author of the book Discerning Your Congregation's Future: A Strategic and Spiritual Approach, Friedrich also consulted with churches across the country on strategic planning. In the last years of his career, he served as a hospice chaplain finding meaningful connections with individuals in their last stages of life. This in part sparked his interest in the spiritual lives of people with dementia, working especially with their recall of music and prayers and liturgy. He also enjoyed serving on the staff at Christ Church of Hamilton and Wenham.
Robert and Sandra met at Houghton College and began a 50-year adventure throughout which they remained ever devoted to each other and their family. They maintained connections with the many friends they made throughout 25 moves. A pilgrimage to Wales in 1998 seeded a special connection to the country that deepened over three decades, first with visits every few years and then the opportunity to live there for the last six and a half years. During that time, Bob and Sandy found joy living in a cozy cottage near the quay in the historic walled town of Conwy. Together they explored a beautiful and culturally vibrant environment of new friends, castles, churches, community, and Celtic spirituality. Bob was licensed to officiate there, which offered the opportunity to preach and administer the sacraments. His research and position as Dementia Support Officer for the Diocese of St. Asaph focused on supporting clergy and churches to create dementia-friendly church communities and buildings. Bob and Sandy were able to return to the North Shore of Boston for the last eight months of Bob's life allowing them to enjoy that time with family and friends.
Friedrich is predeceased by his son Christopher Michael Friedrich. He is survived by his wife Sandra Barton Friedrich of Hamilton, MA; his son David Robert and daughter-in-law Brooke Friedrich and his three grandchildren Brady, Cameron and Emma of Essex, MA; brother Dennis and wife Karen Friedrich of Melrose, MA; brother Norman and wife Dorrie Friedrich of Pittsburgh, PA; and daughter-in-law Nadia Hajjar of Buffalo, NY.
A celebration of Bob's life will be held on April 30, 2022 at 10am at Christ Church in Hamilton, MA. Arrangements by the Campbell Funeral Home, 525 Cabot Street, Beverly. Information, directions, condolences at www.campbellfuneral.com
Published by Campbell Funeral Home - Beverly on Jan. 21, 2022.