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Michael Friedman
COLUMBIA, Mo. — Michael Friedman, M.D., unexpectedly passed away in his sleep on Oct. 24, 2020, at the age of 65.
He was the beloved husband of Emilja Friedman; father of Alex Friedman and grandfather of Adam Friedman. Survivors also include his mother and father, Shirley and David Friedman; sister, Sheila Cranman (Kevin); sister-in-law, Rita Rapp (Ron); and many nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews.
Michael was born in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, on July 26, 1955. He graduated Sikeston High School in Sikeston, Missouri, and then attended Drury College. He received his medical degree from the University of Missouri and completed a residency in Internal Medicine at Washington University. He went on to complete a second residency in Anesthesiology at Washington University.
Michael first practiced anesthesiology in Kansas City, then moved to Columbia and practiced for 18 years at Boone Hospital, then at Surgery Center of Columbia for the past 12 years. He loved his work, including his patients and coworkers, and that love was reciprocated. In addition to his career as a highly respected physician, Mike pursued a myriad of interests, including photography, cycling, travel, attending jazz concerts, hiking, scuba diving and cooking. He generously shared his love of photography by taking portraits of many friends and family members.
Mike had a wonderful smile, and he always had energy to explore new things. He accumulated numerous friends throughout his life, and he stayed in touch with college buddies, medical school friends, present and former nurses, physicians and medical associates. He was a generous supporter of the arts and many other causes.
He will be remembered as a loving, loyal and devoted husband, father, son, grandfather, brother and uncle, and will be dearly missed by many friends.
Private funeral services will be held at Memorial Funeral Home in Columbia. The service at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 28 will be livestreamed on our Facebook page at Memorial Funeral Home, Crematory, and Memorial Park Cemetery/Columbia. The video will be saved for viewing later.
Donations in Mike's memory may be made to American Heart Association.