IN MEMORIAM

HERZL WAS BORN IN ORANGE, NEW JERSEY, to Philip and Eva Friedlander, who named him Benjamin Henzel Friedlander; they and siblings Judith and Saul moved to Chicago and later to Tucson. He changed his name early in tribute to Theodor Herzl, one of the founders of Israel.

Herzl and Saul worked as journeyman painters while attending the University of Arizona, earning a B.S. in zoology in 1938. Herzl secured a masters degree in chemistry and bacteriology from the University of Colorado, and graduated from its medical school in 1944. He was commissioned a 1st Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Medical Corps and served as a physician in Korea in 1945-1947.

He met an R.N., Betty, during his residency at the V.A. Hospital in west Los Angeles, and married her. After board certification in internal medicine, they moved to Sacramento. Over the next 30 years, Herzl developed a large practice and treated many prominent citizens, including several governors and two subsequent U.S. Supreme Court Justices. He was elected to the Board of Directors of SSVMS in 1976 and served on many committees.

He kept in touch with elected representatives in Sacramento and Washington, D.C., to discourage any rules, regulations, or laws that would impair the best quality of medical practice for patients. His office was at 2811 L Street above Stop n Shop Grocery Store, across the street from the "old" Sutter Hospital.

Dr. Friedlander is survived by his wife, Betty of 57 years; his four children: Deborah Brans, Daniel Friedlander, Leah Hencier and Michael Friedlander, MD, who practiced internal medicine in Sacramento; brother Saul, a local pathologist; and eight grandchildren.

Betty and Herzl were dedicated to each other and to their family and shared each other's interests. Both parents were role models for their children. The dad was well educated in art, antiques, gems, American Indian pottery and textiles, stamps, art glass and valuable paintings he collected for many years. He was educated in politics, science, business and real estate and read 4 or 5 newspapers a day.

He was a devoted physician, humanitarian, and a fine medical diagnostician. He was never too busy to see and treat a patient who relied on him; he often used his artistic ability on the paper covering the exam table to explain the patient's pathology and the reasons for the advised treatments and the pros and cons.

He encouraged his children in every educational pursuit, read them pertinent newspaper articles, and challenged them to debate the validity of the assertions. They did their best to earn his respect. Their Dad taught the children to believe in hard work and discipline to reach any goals that they sought.

Herzl had a witty sense of humor, but could comfort his patients in a unique manner, always looking at the bright side of a difficult issue. He was conservative in most ways but liberal with his emotions and kindness and comforting those who needed him.

Dr. Friedlander was laid to rest on his 91st birthday. Son Michael said, "The life we share for this great gentleman will not be forgotten. He is the thread of the fabric of our existence. We will be forever grateful to him and our mother. I am a much better doctor because of the exposure to my mentor father, Herzl Friedlander, MD."

- Frank J. Boutin, Sr., MD