Nearly three years after her husband passed away, Rose Friedman has joined him. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Friedman family in this time of loss.
History has its share of intellectual giants, but it is a true rarity that two are together so completely as the now eternal Mr. and Mrs. Friedman. Scholars will sing their praises until mankind transcends the use of monetary devices. As long as there is money, there will be the philosophy of a Friedman behind it. These champions of liberty have progressed the embodiment of their surname, derived from the Yiddish word “Frid” meaning peace. Peace to be reached through free and open trade. The peace of a humanity acting freely in its own best interest.
It is cliché to say that behind every great man is an even greater woman. It would be disingenuous to both Rose and Milton to make such a statement in this case. She is his counterpoint. They were, and are, one. Without Rose, there would have been no Milton. His life’s work has Rose’s golden touch. We can never thank them enough. Mr. and Mrs. Friedman in respect to the title of your memoir, it is we who are the lucky people because of the two of you.
If all Mr. and Mrs. Friedman had given this world was their work, it would have been enough, but they were even more fruitful. They multiplied. If these offspring were simple, hardworking, productive members of society it would be enough. However, the son, David is the uber geek. And his son, Patri is the son of uber geek. The rest of the descendents are either productive members of society or the family is damn good at keeping a lid on it. Pretty amazing considering the family a) promotes maximum individual freedom and b) has a lot of fiat currency to invest in vice if they so choose. It is not a stretch to say that Rose was the foundation for the success of the family pedigree.
I have only dialogued with Patri in passing on his STI forum, and do not flatter myself that I know the family on any personal level or even know the man himself. What I do know is that I am who I am largely because of my grandparents. As close as I observe the apple to sit by the tree, Patri and his father David did not fall far from the great tree of knowledge that is Rose.
We who remain are so blessed that her light was allowed to shine so bright for so long.
Patri, whatever you may feel about where (if anywhere) your grandmother is now, know that because of the continued work of you and your father, she will live forever.