Tributes to Professor Feldman
THE SUDDEN DEATH on October 16 of Herman Feldman, Professor of Industrial Relations at the Tuck School, took from the Dartmouth faculty one of its most widely recognized authorities. That he was also greatly respected and liked by his Hanover colleagues and his fellow alumni of College of the City of New York was abundantly shown by the large number of tributes paid to him. The ALUMNI MAGAZINE prints below a few of these tributes, made by Prof. Albert W. Frey '20, on behalf of Tuck School: the Rev. Roy B. Chamberlin, chapel director, who worked with Professor Feldman the past nine years on an abridged and annotated Bible; and Dr. Carl H. Smith, president of the Class of 1915 of C.C.N.Y., who spoke at the funeral service at Riverside Memorial Chapel, New York, on October 19.
HERMAN FELDMAN always gave the impression of working against time. There was so much to be done and so few weeks, so few months, so few years in which to do it. That he worked well is evidenced by his tremendous contribution to the Tuck School, to the College, to education generally, and to his principal field of endeavor—human relations. In his own mind, he had made only a beginning. When death took him, he had plans and "work in process" covering many years ahead. His record of achievement is amazing even to one familiar with his enthusiasm and capacity for work and his indefatigable spirit. Few men equal his accomplishment even in a normal lifetime. A recitation of Herman's specific activities and deeds—his books, his articles, his public services, his academic record—inadequately reflect his influence on the institutions with which he was connected and the individuals with whom he came in contact. Always adhering to the highest standards and always unwilling to compromise when it would have been the easy and "popular" thing to do, he played an invaluable part in the Tuck School program and in the preparation of its students for business and community life. His oar pulled much more—yes, very much morethan his own weight. An exacting and stimulating teacher, he strove unremittingly to make every student realize his capabilities to the full and to enjoy the thrill of that realization. The tributes of his students show that he did not strive in vain. Not interested in being a "good fellow," he earned and won their respect and good will. With all his unceasing industry, Herman always had time to give encouragement to the person in difficulty. He never asked others to share his troubles. His earnestness and seriousness were accompanied by a sense of humor which never failed him. When the going was roughest for himself or others, he could always brighten the moment with a light word. We at the Tuck School have lost an inspiring friend and colleague.
ALBERT W. FREY.
MORE THAN TWENTY years ago, Herman Feldman concluded that no man is truly educated without a knowledge of the Bible, that there is no reason (except tradition) why the Bible should be unattractive in form and appearance, and that some time he would himself produce one that would be readable, thoroughly enjoyable. As time permitted, he gradually developed this idea of an abridged and annotated Bible, skillfully edited for the modern, sophisticated reader.
In January 1938, when he had already made considerable progress, he asked me to join him in this ambitious project. Through years of close and happy collaboration, the enterprise grew steadily in depth and breadth until, some months ago, we submitted the manuscript to the publishers, complete but for appendixes and index which can be added only in page proof.
During the decade of our intense labor together, he did more for me, personally and professionally, than words can say. For few men have had a friend so faithful or a fellow-workman so expert and thorough. It will not be easy to finish alone the work to which he gave so much.
ROY B. CHAMBERLIN
IN THE BRIEF span between the morning "when man flourishes and in the evening when he is cut down" a rare individual appears who applies his efforts and endowments so effectively that his works remain a lasting contribution. Herman Feldman was one of those fortunate persons. Gifted with a brilliant mind, a contagious enthusiasm and a strong personal quality for leadership, he employed his talents in a field of social endeavor in which he rose to a position of eminence.
Herman Feldman and I grew up on the same street in New York City. I was attracted to him, as were other youngsters, by the same characteristics he manifested in his •maturity He reached his goal by unswerving effort and by a pattern of hard work which he had set in his youth. His capacity for friendship was as outstanding as his intellectual development.
When he assumed his duties as Dean of the School of Business of the College of the City of New York, his Alma Mater, he was confronted by perplexing problems of administration. These he met and solved with consummate skill and understanding. To Herman Feldman, the more serious challenge was the need for bringing to these young college men and women, many of whom were underprivileged, the facilities for a richer social environment. He saw himself in each of these students, as one who had come from a humble home
Herman Feldman will be remembered by his dedication to service, by his warm and inspiring personality, by an impassioned simplicity, by a cordial friendliness with all those who came within the orbit of his acquaintanceship. The loss to his class is beyond measure. His classmates will miss his guidance and wisdom in their councils. To City College his memory will remain always that of a devoted son, to Dartmouth of an inspired teacher, to his community—of a leader in the search for those principles of social justice by which man can live in peace with his fellows. We who lived within the reach of his touch and of his voice have been the favored and the privileged.
DR. CARL H. SMITH, M.D.
THE LATE PROF. HERMAN FELDMAN WHEN HE WAS BUSINESS SCHOOL DEAN AT C. C. N. Y.
