Longtime resident of Hudson, William Friedlander, passed away in his sleep on Saturday, February 1 2020 at the Christian Community Home in Hudson. Bill was born on Feb 17, 1930 of Joseph and Edna Friedlander in Barrington, Ill. He met his wife to be, Sally Hill at a church square dance and they were married in 1951.

A fascination in the world and how it worked is the best way to encapsulate the interests which made up his life.   His passion for science led him to major in Chemistry at Dartmouth College followed by a Masters and a PhD at the University of Illinois.  His 40 year career at 3M led him to invent things practical (he patented Tarni-Shield in 1963) as well as to be a rocket scientist in support of the ARPA project. As Director of New Business Ventures Division he oversaw 3M contributions to areas as diverse as hockey sticks and even water skis. He was a key part of incorporating 3M ‘Shark-Skin’ drag reduction technology on the San Diego Yacht Club’s bid to regain the Americas Cup from Australia in 1988. Along the way his career led Bill and family to England where he was Director of 3M’s efforts in photography films. England was a handy launch pad for travels to the Continent and beyond as well as a place they could host American friends.

Bill’s spirituality came from his curiosity to experience the natural world. This was fostered as a member of the Dartmouth Outing Club where he experienced many canoeing, hiking and skiing trips.  This led to a life of travels with wife Sally (and sometimes children) above the Arctic Circle, to Antarctica, the Himalayas, New Zealand, Europe, the Galapagos, always in pursuit of an objective, and happy to enjoy what else came along.

His interest in science and how air interacted with objects led to a love of sailing and flying.  He built and flew model airplanes and gyrocopters and worked with a wind tunnel to optimize airfoils.  His pilot’s license took the family skiing, and on many trips.  He chartered boats for sailing trips to the Caribbean, Greece, Turkey and Bora Bora.  Sailing on the St. Croix was a favorite past time and, with others, founded the St. Croix Sailing Club. Active in the community, Bill and Sally helped create the Saint Croix Valley Arts Guild which is now housed in the Phipps Center for Performing Arts. They were also instrumental in the founding of the new Hospital on Stageline Road as well as Wintergreen, where his wife Sally resides.  Bill’s passion for football grew from being QB of his High School team and as a season ticket holder he was a big Vikings fan.

He is preceded into death by his parents and sister Dorothy Oliver. He is survived by his wife of 68 years Sally, children Rick, Wendy, Maggie, Dottie, Jim, 13 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren with 2 on the way.

A Memorial service for Bill will be 11AM, Tuesday, February 4th at the United Methodist Church in Hudson. Interment will be private. Visitation will be on Monday from 4pm to 6pm at the O’Connell Family Funeral Home of Hudson as well as one hour prior to the service at church Tuesday morning. Memorials will be used to the discretion of the family.  Funeral services entrusted to the O’Connell Family Funeral Homes.