As a celebration of life, particularly in view of our own shadows inevitably growing, some commentary on Ben Freiser would be appropriate. Ben had an exceptionally bright mind and was an authentic researcher. I spent a day with him in Los Angeles during graduate school. He was attending Cal Tech. As I recall, he was involved in color wave research bearing upon photographic and electronic imagery. His quick mind was matched only by his spontaneity of wit blended with a cheerfulness of character. He proved to be a scholarly scientist from Palo Verde High School, with an analytic mind and an understanding kindness. I was unaware of his passing, which leaves those of us who knew him with a further loss in our reflections, as we value his memory more.
I was best friends with Ben since 2nd grade and remained so until he passed away. Ben for literally being a genius, had the greatest personality and sense of humor. Ben left Palo Verde after his junior year and enrolled in UCLA where he graduated early with the highest honors.
Ben then enrolled in Cal Tech University where he obtained his PhD in chemistry and won the Cal Tech "Nobel Prize" for his excellent research in chemistry. After graduating from Cal Tech, Ben was recruited by the most prestigious universities as a professor and researcher. He chose Purdue University where he was employed as a fully tenured professor of Chemistry until he passed away at such a young age.
Notwithstanding a variety of health issues that plagued Ben all of his life, he was an excellent guitar player and swimmer. Ben actually was the one who started up my interest in guitar which lead to my being a member of the Renegades.
Lastly, Ben is survived by his wife Helena and two daughters as well as his parents and brother Manny Freiser.
Ben was brilliant, as Jeff and Erol have mentioned. And funny. But what I most admired in him was his courage. In second grade, our families went together to this restaurant on Speedway. My brothers and I asked for cokes. Ben didn't drink sodas so he asked for milk. When ours came with straws, he asked the waitress where was his straw? Probably out of laziness, she said, "Only babies have straws with milk!" I was mortified for Ben, but he, without missing a beat, said, "Then I'm a baby. Get me a straw!"
Errol Berk
As a celebration of life, particularly in view of our own shadows inevitably growing, some commentary on Ben Freiser would be appropriate. Ben had an exceptionally bright mind and was an authentic researcher. I spent a day with him in Los Angeles during graduate school. He was attending Cal Tech. As I recall, he was involved in color wave research bearing upon photographic and electronic imagery. His quick mind was matched only by his spontaneity of wit blended with a cheerfulness of character. He proved to be a scholarly scientist from Palo Verde High School, with an analytic mind and an understanding kindness. I was unaware of his passing, which leaves those of us who knew him with a further loss in our reflections, as we value his memory more.
Jeffrey Estes
I was best friends with Ben since 2nd grade and remained so until he passed away. Ben for literally being a genius, had the greatest personality and sense of humor. Ben left Palo Verde after his junior year and enrolled in UCLA where he graduated early with the highest honors.
Ben then enrolled in Cal Tech University where he obtained his PhD in chemistry and won the Cal Tech "Nobel Prize" for his excellent research in chemistry. After graduating from Cal Tech, Ben was recruited by the most prestigious universities as a professor and researcher. He chose Purdue University where he was employed as a fully tenured professor of Chemistry until he passed away at such a young age.
Notwithstanding a variety of health issues that plagued Ben all of his life, he was an excellent guitar player and swimmer. Ben actually was the one who started up my interest in guitar which lead to my being a member of the Renegades.
Lastly, Ben is survived by his wife Helena and two daughters as well as his parents and brother Manny Freiser.
Tom Bartlett
Ben was brilliant, as Jeff and Erol have mentioned. And funny. But what I most admired in him was his courage. In second grade, our families went together to this restaurant on Speedway. My brothers and I asked for cokes. Ben didn't drink sodas so he asked for milk. When ours came with straws, he asked the waitress where was his straw? Probably out of laziness, she said, "Only babies have straws with milk!" I was mortified for Ben, but he, without missing a beat, said, "Then I'm a baby. Get me a straw!"
Jackie Arthur
The funny things we remember.I did not know Ben but I remember his face.Sorry for your loss.
Susan Schildmacher (Buckner)
Thank you Jeff for what you wrote. I love that many of us stay friends for so may years! The world really lost a brilliant person.