Norbert Freinkel ’47

NORRIE DIED suddenly of a heart attack on Sept. 5, 1989. He was in Europe to attend a scientific meeting in Uppsala, Sweden.

Norbie prepared for Princeton at Weequahic High School in Newark, and came to us with the V-12 program. He majored in biology and received his B.A. from Princeton at the same time he graduated from the N.Y.U. Medical School, in 1949. At Princeton, he played in the band and was a drum major in the Navy drum corps. He was elected to Phi Beta Kappa.

As a physician, Norbie specialized in endocrinology and diabetes, and was recognized as an international expert in those fields. He did pioneer work to reduce the infant mortality rate in the babies of diabetic women. After serving for 10 years on the Harvard Medical School faculty, he joined Northwestern University Medical School in 1966. At his death, he was the C.F. Kittering Professor of Medicine, and director of the Center for Endocrinology, Metabolism and Nutrition.

In 1955, Norbie married Ruth Kimmelstiel. Norbie served as President of the Am. Diabetes Assn. He was the recipient of numerous awards and honors during his lifetime and authored hundreds of papers.

In our 40th Year Book, Norbie eloquently summed up his postgraduate years in the following words: "I have loved what I am doing, the people with whom I am doing it, and the fun of doing it—wisely, enthusiastically, and hopefully, rewardingly."

In addition to Ruth, he is survived by his daughters, Susan and Lisa and his son, Andrew. To each of them the Class extends its deepest sympathies.

The Class of 1947