Dr. Morris L. Friedman

June 20, 1916 - December 24, 2009

Born to Isador and Anna Peysachson Friedman, who immigrated from Russia and Poland, he lived in the Kansas City area for 87 years. He graduated from the University of Kansas Medical School in 1941 before interning at St. Louis Jewish Hospital from 1941-1942, and performing a residency at Pontiac General Hospital. He then voluntarily entered the Armed Forces on November 9, 1942. He served as Medical Officer of the 40th Field Airborne Hospital for the ninth Air Force in the European Theater of Operations. He was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army March 27, 1946 with the rank of Major. He returned to Kansas City and married Jeanette Birenboim Friedman on October 20, 1946. The two had four children together. He practiced Internal Medicine in Kansas City for 45 years, retiring in August 1986. He served active memberships on the Medical Staffs of Baptist and Menorah Medical Centers, as well as maintaining memberships with the American Medical Society, Missouri State Medical Society, Missouri Society of Internal Medecine, and Kansas City Society of Internists. He served as president of Menorah Medical Staff 1964-1965, Chairman of multiple medical committees, and held a lifetime membership at Oakwood Country Club. On April 26, 2003 he moved to Sun City, AZ for the sun and golf courses, which he dominated until 92 years of age. His children and grandchildren would visit him there to eat large bars of chocolate with him and invariably be beaten in games of bridge. A beloved husband, father, brother and grandfather, he was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years Jeanette; his son, Stephen Bennett Friedman; and his parents. He is survived by his wife Charlotte B. Friedman, and his children: Lauren A. Friedman and spouse Lee Rudin of San Francisco; Geoffrey B. Friedman and spouse Sharon D. Friedman of Kansas City; Dr. Michael K. Friedman and spouse Dr. Sabine vonPreyss-Friedman of Seattle; Janice Friedman of Lawrence, Kansas; in addition to his eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild. He is also survived by his devoted brother Jacob Friedman, and sister Dorothy Loeffler. Funeral services will be at 1:00pm Monday, December 28, 2009 at The Louis Memorial Chapel, 6830 Troost Avenue. Burial will take place in Kehilath Israel Blue Rlue Ridge Cemetery.