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He Gave So Much of Himself /Nicholas A. Cummings, Ph.D., Sc.D. |
| This Was A Man–A Very Extraordinary One/Stanley R. Graham | |
| He Graced Our Lives With His Indomitable Spirit/Alan D. Entin |
| Nicholas A. Cummings, Ph.D., Sc.D.
Founding President, National Academies of Practice; Former President, American Psychological Association |
He Gave So Much of Himself
Dr. Freudenberger, one of the six original Founders who launched the NAP in 1981, succumbed in early December to the kidney disease he had been battling for three years. Born in Germany on November 26, 1927 he was 73 years old. A prominent psychologist with an international reputation, Dr. Freudenberger was the first of a handful of Distinguished Practitioners of the NAP and would have been the Chair of the NAP in Psychology had he not been elected to be the NAP Council’s first Secretary. He served in that capacity for six years, then became Co-Chair of the NAP in Psychology, eventually becoming its Chair. It is not generally known that Herb narrowly escaped the worst of the Holocaust. At age 12 Hitler had not yet invaded most of Europe, but Nazi youth gangs were everywhere in Germany. As a Jewish boy Herb was frequently taunted by them, and on the last occasion they were determined to take his bicycle. Herb fought back, a behavior that was characteristic of his entire life, and thus he was marked as a fugitive. The family got him out of Germany through Switzerland that very night. After a brief stay in Paris with relatives, he was sent to New York to join an aunt. However, the aunt decided after his departure that she did not want him, and did not even meet the ship when it docked. Only twelve but resourceful, Herb found her home in the Bronx. She took him in, but she would not feed him. Having little alternative, Herb left his aunt’s home and spent most of his adolescence living by his wits on the streets of New York. He not only survived, but managed to get an education which culminated with a doctorate in psychology from New York University. Dr. Freudenberger was in the independent practice of psychology in Manhattan’s upper east side for over four decades. He is well known for researching and defining the syndrome described in his famous book, Burnout, which captured the attention of the public as well as the profession, and resulted in a new word in the dictionary. He is less known for his significant contributions to the treatment of the problems of homelessness. During the so-called Hippie Era, Herb took a three month sabbatical and lived on the streets of San Francisco. Those of us who worried for his safety were assured by him that he had become streetwise by age twelve. Returning to New York, he established a free clinic in Spanish Harlem addressing the problems of substance abuse, prostitution and homelessness. Every night after a full day of practice Herb would go to this clinic and contribute his time and expertise, often working in the dark streets unmindful of his safety. He continued this regimen for many years, giving countless hours of his time and energy. Dr. Freudenberger always found time to devote to professional activities and to activism, within both the National Academies of Practice and the American Psychological Association. His profession honored him this past September with its highest award: The American Psychological Foundation’s Lifetime Achievement Award in Professional Practice. He also served as a consultant to the health system of the State of Israel, meeting a demanding schedule that was tantamount to commuting to the Middle East. He is survived by his beautiful wife Arlene and three children. Lisa is a talented psychologist who has followed her father’s footsteps in the treatment of substance abuse. Her husband, Ted Wolf is also a psychologist. Herb’s son Mark is in real estate, and his daughter Lori is an attorney. The NAP mourns the loss of one of its most honored Founders and a giant in the practice of psychology. |
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