Sidney Friedman

January 24, 1926 - January 26, 2021

Sidney "Sid" Friedman, PhD Research Chemist Aged 95, the "Gentleman Jogger of Squirrel Hill" passed peacefully Jan 26 with family at his side, 2 months after his last grocery walk. Devoted husband of the late Sally, beloved father of Neal (Serena), Amy, and Daniel, and grandson Jesse, a neighborhood icon, recognized by many, always wearing trademark black socks and blue backpack as he walked, or jogged, around Squirrel Hill daily for 25 years. Up Beacon hill then down Bartlett (taking extra laps for stamina into his 90s), he returned home with a backpack of groceries after a stop in the library. He ran the Great Race 10k aged 72. A world traveler, Sid visited 50 countries on all 7 continents, endowing his offspring with a love of travel. Along the way he rode a hot air balloon in Tanzania, ziplined at age 87 with his grandson in Alaska, climbed the Great Wall of China, and river-rafted in Nepal. Growing up in Massachusetts during the Depression he delivered groceries, worked in textile mills, his mother's catering business, and a ship yard. He saved pennies to buy chemicals from the pharmacy for his basement chemistry lab, using glass bottles from the neighborhood bootlegger. After Army service in WWII (Pacific theater) Sid took only 4 ½ years to earn chemistry degrees from Purdue (BS) and Harvard (PhD) on the GI Bill. A research fellowship at Mellon Institute brought him to Pittsburgh, followed by 41 years as a research organic chemist for the US Bureau of Mines, later Dept. of Energy, where he began a routine of afternoon power walks. A true scholar and gentleman, kindly and full of stories, a supporter of good journalism, education, and the arts, may his life and memory inspire everyone to walk, to travel, and to learn. Remembrances may be made to the Jewish Federation, Congregation Dor Hadash, or the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. Professional services trusted to D'ALESSANDRO FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORY LTD., Lawrenceville.