Louis Birenbaum ’67

Lou died March 8, 2017, in his hometown of Webster Groves, Mo.

A native of St. Louis, Lou graduated from Clayton High School, where he was a National Merit Scholarship finalist and a member of the Latin Club, Spanish Club, Pep Club, and the track, golf, and cross country teams. At Princeton Lou majored in psychology and wrote his thesis for Professor Bart Hoebel. He roomed at 114 1938 Hall with Josh Kaplan, Chuck Gardner, John Capestro ’69, Steve Rosenberg, David Smith, and Russ Barron ’68. An active member of Dial Lodge and its intramural teams, he also was active in the Stock Analysis Club.

After college Lou went to Boston University law school. He returned to St. Louis to practice law, working for underserved citizens. In later years he became an elementary school teacher for special-needs and disabled students. Lou’s wife, Linda, also dedicated years of work to St. Louis area youth services.

Lou suffered for many years from Waldenstrom’s syndrome, a type of lymphoma. He went on to participate in and serve a national support group for people similarly afflicted. But he remained positive in dealing with the disease’s continuing effects on the body, including taking an annual fishing trip for years to North Carolina’s Outer Banks with Dave Reiser and Phil Lynch.

Lou was known to his club mates, roommates, and class friends as a quiet, dedicated man whose unobtrusive friendship belied the fierce conviction he had to serve his community.

Lou is survived by his wife and a grateful Class of  ’67, for whom he served as a model of the ideals of our generation of the 1960s.