Herbert Joseph Freiberger

Herbert Joseph Freiberger “Herb”, 81, of Bel Air, Maryland, passed away on September 12, 2025, at his home in Bel Air surrounded by family. Herb was born on July 11, 1944, in Allentown, New Jersey to the late Sebastian Freiberger and Maria Weger Freiberger who immigrated to the U.S. from Germany. He grew up on their family farm and in his early years spoke English and German.

Herb graduated from Allentown High School in 1962 and then went to Drexel University in Philadelphia, graduating with a Civil Engineering degree in 1967. While in college, Herb went on a blind date with Patricia “Pat” Hoffman that turned out pretty good. They married on June 24, 1967, and in 1969, welcomed two daughters, Kathryn and Anjanette.

During college, Herb completed a co-op with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and never looked back. He spent his entire career with the USGS and loved being a hydrologist, manager, district chief, and mentor in the Water Resources Division (WRD). His work took him to many locations, and he and his family moved four times within the east coast (and Kentucky). Throughout his career, he made many lifelong friends, and even after retiring in 2002, he enjoyed reunions and picnics with the Retirees of the USGS WRD. He contributed to their newsletter and provided a history of the USGS for the retirees 50th anniversary. He loved “going back to work” at the archives in Reston to do research.

Saying Herb was social is an understatement. He really enjoyed the friendship of his colleagues, neighbors, friends and family, and he always had a good story to tell. He and Pat enjoyed spending time with friends traveling, throwing pig roasts, and gathering for progressive dinners. They traveled to Europe, the Caribbean, took many cruises, and toured the U.S. In addition to traveling, Herb loved crosswords, playing cards, gardening, beautiful flowers, and bird watching. Later in life, Herb joined AA and found yet another band of brothers.

Herb was preceded in death by his parents and his beloved wife Pat. He is survived by his two daughters and their spouses: Kathryn Freiberger and Mark King, and Anjanette Freiberger and Kevin Soper; three grandchildren: Ariana (Nick), Rachel (Tolu), and Connor; his sister and brother-in-law Dotty Freiberger Bast and Tom Bast; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Herb loved people and was a genuine friend and father. He will be missed by many.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the V Foundation for Cancer Research (www.v.org) or the Mann House in Bel Air, MD (www.mannhouse.org). Relatives and friends are invited to gather at Schimunek Funeral Home of Bel Air, 610 W. MacPhail Road, on October 11th from 1 to 4 pm, with refreshments to follow from 4 to 6 pm.