Death Notice
Edward S. Freienmuth
Edward S. Freienmuth, a former professor and administrator at Fort Lewis College, died Saturday, Sept. 18, 1993, in Phoenix, Ariz.
Mr. Freienmuth was well known to many in the accounting profession. In 1969, he began teaching accounting and business law at Fort Lewis. He also directed the School of Business from 1973-78, during which time it received accreditation. In 1986, he was named acting vice president of Student Affairs.
Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at St. Mark's Episcopal Church. A complete obituary will be published later in the week.
Obituary
Edward Still Freienmuth
Edward Still Freienmuth was born July 1, 1923 in Tonganoxie, Kansas.
He graduated from the law program at the University of Colorado in 1950 and as a young attorney, he hung his shingle in Pagosa Springs. For six years he practiced law. Edward married Charlotte Louise Lewis August 12, 1954. They moved to Durango, where two sons were born, Karl Edward and David Otto.
Edward became sales manager for Morehart Chevrolet from 1956 to 1961. That led to accounting, when he joined the firm of Cecil E. Cooper. He qualified as a certified public accountant in 1964. Then he moved up to Fort Lewis College in 1969 to teach business law and accounting.
Since then Freienmuth taught continually until being named acting vice president of student affairs in 1986. He also directed the School of Business from 1973 to 1978, during which time it received accreditation.
The veteran professor and administrator retired after 20 years at Fort Lewis College. In addition to being an accountant and member of the Colorado Bar, Freienmuth was a falconer. After retirement, he planned to spend much of his new free time flying his peregrine falcon, Jenny. "Falconry is an ancient sport in which the bird has an opportunity to leave you every time she flies," said Freienmuth, 64, in an interview with the Durango Herald, "But she doesn't."
The relationship between falcon and falconer is essential, just as it is between student and professor. "That's one of the reasons I've stayed at Fort Lewis so long -- because of the students," he said. He treasured the relationship he developed watching freshmen enter college and leave as seniors.
"You couldn't teach the same thing time after time if you weren't excited about it," said Freienmuth.
He attributes FLC's quality to the strong and consistent liberal arts philosophy held by the administration and faculty.
"Look, we've only had two or three new majors in 20 years. The college has a goal, a direction, and it's stayed with it," he said.
Freienmuth has shared that goal and direction in his professional life. He's proud of his 1982 Outstanding Teacher of the Year award. And he's unabashedly proud of the institution that gave it to him: "Without a doubt it's the best liberal arts college in the Rocky Mountains."
Edward Still Freienmuth died September 18, 1993 in Phoenix, Arizona. He is buried in Durango, Colorado.
The Durango Herald, September 21, 1993
Edward S. Freienmuth
Edward S. Freienmuth, former professor and administrator at Fort Lewis College, died Saturday, Sept. 18, 1993, in Phoenix, Ariz. He was 70.
Mr. Freienmuth was born July 1, 1923, in Lawrence, Kan. He graduated from Alamosa High School, attended Iowa State University and obtained a law degree from the University of Colorado in 1949. After serving in the Army during World War II, he opened a law practice in Pagosa Springs where he married his secretary, Charlotte Lewis.<.p>
Upon moving to Durango in 1956, he spent time as a partner in a local car dealership, then worked with an accounting firm, where he obtained his Certified Public Accountant accreditation in 1964.
In 1969, Mr. Freienmuth began teaching accounting and business law at Fort Lewis College. He also directed the School of Business from 1973-78, during which time it received accreditation. In 1986, he was named acting vice president of Student Affairs. In 1989, he retired from Fort Lewis.
Mr. Freienmuth was active in the community and served on the La Plata Community Hospital District, the La Plata County Planning Commission, Florida Mosquito Control District and the Division of Wildlife Nongame Advisory Council. He was an avid falconer and very involved with the North American Falconers Association, North American Perigrine Foundation and San Juan Chapter of the Audubon Society. He was a member of St. Mark's Church since 1956 and recently transferred his membership to St. Michaels of Phoenix. He was a life member of Durango Elks Lodge No. 507.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his sons, Karl Freienmuth of Phoenix and David Freienmuth of Durango; sister, Jane David of Monte Vista; brother, B. Otto Freienmuth of San Diego, Calif.; grandsons, Daniel, Michael and Kevin Freienmuth, all of Phoenix, and Henry Freienmuth of Durango; three nephews and three nieces.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at St. Mark's Episcopal Church.
Memorial donations may be made to the Edward S. Freienmuth Memorial Scholarship Fund, Fort Lewis College, School of Business Administration, 1000 Rim Drive, Durango, CO 81301.