Robert Friedman Dies in Milwaukee

Robert Friedman, former president and ceo of both L.S. Ayres (Indianapolis) and Famous-Barr (St. Louis) – when they were divisions of The May Department Store Co. – died this week in Milwaukee. He was 82.

His resume is a sentimental journey through department store nameplates that no longer exist.

After serving in Korea, Friedman joined the Boston Store in Milwaukee as an assistant buyer. He eventually became a buyer of women’s apparel for Davison’s in Atlanta, Wallace’s Department Store in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., and Pomeroy’s in Harrisburg, Pa.

While gmm at Lit Bros. in Philadelphia, he was recruited to move to Washington, D.C., first as gmm at Woodword & Lothrop and then at Hecht Co., which brought him into the May Co. organization.

When May bought Associated Dry Goods, Friedman joined L.S. Ayres and then ran Famous-Barr before retiring in 1991. He continued, however, to consult with apparel firms until 2002.