Lambert “Ben” Freund passed away October 3, 2024, at the age of 81. Freund is an alumnus of the Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering (BSEM 1964, MS TAM 1965) and served as an adjunct professor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering.
Freund was born November 23, 1942, to Bernard and Anita Freund of McHenry, Illinois. The physical work of growing up on a farm stayed with him in spirit as he earned his degrees in engineering mechanics (EM) and theoretical and applied mechanics (TAM) from the University of Illinois and a PhD in theoretical and applied mechanics from Northwestern University. He arrived at Brown University as a postdoctoral fellow in 1967 and rose through the ranks to become professor of engineering in 1975, where he worked until his retirement in 2010.
Freund was known both as an outstanding teacher and a pioneering researcher. His papers and books defined subfields of mechanics, and his work contributed significantly to the world’s basic understanding of the mechanical behavior of engineering materials.
He was a member of the National Academy of Engineering (1994) and the National Academy of Science (1997) and a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (AAAS), American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and American Academy of Mechanics. He served as a member of the U.S. National Committee for Theoretical and Applied Mechanics and a U.S. delegate to and president (2004) of the International Union for Theoretical and Applied Mechanics.
Even with his many recognitions, Freund delighted most in the accomplishments of his students and mentees.
“Ben was my mentor and I am grateful for many great conversations that helped shape how I think about scholarship, approach my own research and what it means to be a faculty member. I am privileged to have been able to audit MSE 598 Thin Film Materials when he taught this special topics course in the MatSE Department from his own textbook. He was an amazing teacher, scholar and colleague,” said Professor Nancy Sottos, head of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering and a Swanlund Endowed Chair.
Harley Johnson, founder professor in MechSE and associate dean for research in The Grainger College of Engineering, also credited Freund for the impact he had on Johnson’s research career.
“Ben was a giant in solid mechanics, and an amazing advisor and mentor, and I was so fortunate to have been his Ph.D. student. To have had the opportunity to sit with him, learn from him, and follow his approach to crafting elegant solutions to complicated and important problems — it was just such a privilege. The problems he gave me to work on as a student, on quantum effects in materials, were really ahead of their time, and set the stage for everything I’ve been able to do in my own independent career,” said Johnson.
Illinois’ Engineering Mechanics program launched in 1958, making Freund among the first classes of students to graduate with an EM degree. In 1996, The Grainger College of Engineering recognized his outstanding career contributions as an alumnus with the Alumni Award for Distinguished Service. In 2006, he received the TAM Distinguished Alumni Award.
After retiring from Brown University, he moved to Champaign to be closer to his son, Department Head and Willett Professor of Aerospace Engineering Jonathan Freund, and his family.
Freund is survived by his wife of 59 years, Colleen; sons, Jonathan (Amy) of Illinois, Jeffrey (Megan) of Montana and Stephen (Plum) of Massachusetts; and seven grandchildren.