Friebert, Atty. Robert H. Robert H. Friebert, prominent Milwaukee attorney, passed away September 5, 2013. Mr. Friebert was 75 years old. Mr. Friebert was a founding member of the law firm of Friebert, Finerty and St. John S.C. He served as the first Public Defender for the State of Wisconsin from 1966-1968. Friebert, who was a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School, also served as State Chairman of the Wisconsin Civil Liberties Union, Special Counsel to the Board of Regions University of Wisconsin's System, Trustee to the Medical College of Wisconsin, and numerous other boards and commissions. He argued four cases in the United States Supreme Court, which covered the rights of teachers to organize, due process for federal youthful offenders, reproductive rights of women and the rights of people to vote in primary elections. Friebert was active in local, state and national Democratic politics, and served several terms as a Democratic National Committeeman. Mr. Friebert was an advisor and consultant to numerous Democratic Presidential Candidates, and was the lead counsel on the election recount that awarded the First District Congressional Seat to the late Congressman and Secretary of Defense, Les Aspin. Friebert enjoyed political debate and was respected for his strongly held views by Republicans and Democrats alike. Friebert was active in his congregation, Emanu-El B'ne Jeshurun, serving on the Board of Directors and two years as President. He was the founding chair of the Wisconsin Jewish Conference and President of the Milwaukee Jewish Council for Community Relations, guided and driven by his deep conviction to social justice. Mr. Friebert is survived by his wife of 45 years, Susan (Sweed) Friebert, his son, Jonathan (Susan Anderson) Friebert, and their children James, Dylan, and Abby, his daughter, Ellen (Brian) Schupper, and their children Ethan, Ari and Gabriel, and his younger daughter, Leslie Friebert, as well as his two brothers, Marvin (Annette) and Jerry (Sherry) Friebert, sisters-in-law Sheila (Ely) Fishlowitz and Judy (Mort) Grodsky, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends all around the country. Funeral services 1:00 PM Monday, September 9, 2013 at Congregation Emanu-El B'ne Jeshurun, 2020 W. Brown Deer Rd., River Hills. Interment Second Home Cemetery, 3705 S. 43 St., Milwaukee. Memorial gifts to a charity of your choice are appreciated.

Blane Goodman Funeral Service - 262-241-4444

 

Published in Milwaukee Journal Sentinel from September 7 to September 8, 2013