Henry Frank Friedler

Henry Friedler passed away on December 1st, 2020. He was 27. Henry took his own life after a decade long battle with Bipolar Disorder. He was born in New Orleans on April 3rd, 1993, the son of Tripp and Heidi Friedler. He was a graduate of Isidore Newman School where he won the Louisiana State Doubles Championship his Junior year. He spent a year at Millsaps College where he played #3 on the tennis team and where he was an Academic All American. He earned his BA from the University of New Orleans. Henry is survived by his grandparents Pam Friedler, Chuck and Lori Hackley, his parents Heidi and Tripp Friedler, and his two sisters Patti Friedler and Kate Friedler.

Henry Friedler was a deeply creative soul. Henry was funny and brilliant and curious about just about everything under the sun. Culture, science, politics, food, art, music, and people. He was completely engaged by the world, the kind of young man who asked the hard and intelligent questions about why things were the way they were. And then he worked hard and traveled distances to find the answers. He was a seeker and a romantic. He cherished his time at Watervale in Michigan, a family resort where he was beloved. Henry brought a singular kind of beauty to the things he did and to the people he loved. His tennis was powerful and graceful. He loved kids – their non-judgmental goodness. He was a coach and a teacher. Henry was an extraordinarily gifted artist. He sought refuge in his music, with a special place in his heart for The Strokes. Henry was a thinker and a student. Fascinated by things, and in so doing, he became fascinating.

The world is not always a gentle place. But Henry was a gentle soul walking and often running through it. He was compassionate and kind. Henry had a beautifully sweet nature. His heart was unerringly located in the right place even when his mind was not. He was handsome and charismatic, the kind of kid who made friends wherever he went. He will be deeply missed by those who loved him.

The family will be holding a Memorial in front of their home on Saturday, December 5th at 1pm.

They ask that those in attendance please wear a mask and respect social distance. In lieu of flowers, please honor Henry’s memory with a donation to A’s and Aces or Tulane University Early Psychosis Intervention Program (Epic Nola). We wish we could have taken his pain and loneliness away. Please check on and continue checking on your friends. Be there for people even though it can be hard. We urge those who are struggling to reach out and ask for help.

To view and sign the guest book, please visit www.lakelawnmetairie.com