A man who designed many significant commercial and municipal buildings in Tucson and several buildings on the University of Arizona campus died last week.
Bernard J. Friedman, who also designed the sanctuary and chapel at Temple Emanu-El, passed away Thursday. He was 96.
Friedman's architectural projects included the Tucson Community Center, now known as the Tucson Convention Center, the Convention Center's Music Hall, City Hall and El Con Mall.
He also designed the UA's College of Medicine and the Agricultural Sciences, Physics-Math-Meteorology and Chemistry buildings, as well as many public school buildings in Tucson.
Friedman served on the board of directors for the Tucson Botanical Gardens, Tucson Chamber of Commerce and several other organizations.
"He was an architect, a lover of plants and also a very gifted artist," said Michelle Conklin, executive director of Tucson Botanical Gardens.
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Two of Friedman's watercolor paintings hang in the Botanical Garden's Founders Room, Conklin said.
Rabbi Samuel Cohon described Friedman, who was a member of Temple Emanu-El, as "charming, funny, frank, classy and full of life."
Cohon credited Friedman with designing Temple-Emanu-El, the first synagogue in Arizona.
"He created the most important Jewish building in Arizona," Cohon said.
A memorial service will be held today at 2 p.m. in the sanctuary of Temple Emanu-El, 225 N. Country Club Road.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Tucson Botanical Gardens.
Contact reporter Jamar Younger at jyounger@azstarnet.com or 573-4115.
