Gregory Friberg
January 15, 1952 — March 20, 2014
Gregory Neil Friberg, also known as Greg, 62, a long time residence of Washington D.C. passed away from Bile Duct cancer in his sleep at his home on March 12, 2014.
Greg was an only child born on January 15, 1952 to Chester Friberg, predeceased on April 20, 1999 and Renetta Friberg, predeceased on July 11, 2011, in Montevideo, Minnesota.
While attending Montevideo Senior High School Greg was one of a select few to become an exchange student through the American Field Service (AFS). In 1969, he was able to live with a Thai family and attend a Thai high school in Nakhon Sawan, Thailand. The following year he achieved the Top Score of 12,000 participants in the Minneapolis Star newspaper World Affairs Competition.
Upon graduation from high school Greg was accepted to The American University, Washington, D.C. and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Government and Public Administration. Greg also attended The University of Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai, Thailand and Soochow University, Taipei, Taiwan where he was awarded a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations/Thai Language.
Following his University graduations and before he would start his professional career, Greg and a few of his friends embarked on a world tour by air flight lasting several weeks. Stopping and visiting as many places as they could: Iceland, Europe, Asia, South East Asia, Africa, South America, Central America ,Hawaii, to name only a few.
Greg’s educational training brought him back to the nation’s capital, Washington, D.C. where he worked 45 years plus in the political arena on Capitol Hill. Greg was a legislative assistant to congressman Dan Kuykendall (R-TN), (1971); Caseworker for Senator Paul Laxalt (R-NV), (1975); Legislative Assistant to congresswoman Virginia Smith (R-NE), (1975); Legislative Analyst for DK consultants, Inc.(1977); Director of Political Action and Education for the Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc. (ABC),(1978); Legislative director to congressman Guy V. Molinari (R-NY), 1981); Congressional Liaison specialist , Office of Legislation U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), 1983); Travel Advance and Accounting division of American Express- The World Bank Division (1989).
Greg continued his travels and whenever his schedule permitted, he was off on another adventure often to one of his favorite places South East Asia. Visiting all of The Seven Wonders of the World was a goal that Greg set for himself and one that he accomplished.
Among the relatives surviving Greg are his aunts: Marcella of Denver, Colorado; Marilyn of Logan, Iowa; Jackie of Phoenix, Arizona; Darlene of Battle Lake; Fidelia of Eugene, Oregon, and Gwen of Seattle, Washington.
Greg has always been active in keeping his membership in the American Field Service (AFS). He believed that one should travel and get to know the many different people and cultures; and what better way to start than as a young exchange student, which is how he started years ago. In lieu of flowers, Greg had requested that memorial donations be made to AFS-USA, where they are involved with Intercultural programs and International High School Student programs
Although there will not be memorial service for Greg, his inurnment will be at Fridhem Cemetery, Clarkfield, MN. On August 4, 2014 at 11:00 AM.
Greg was an only child born on January 15, 1952 to Chester Friberg, predeceased on April 20, 1999 and Renetta Friberg, predeceased on July 11, 2011, in Montevideo, Minnesota.
While attending Montevideo Senior High School Greg was one of a select few to become an exchange student through the American Field Service (AFS). In 1969, he was able to live with a Thai family and attend a Thai high school in Nakhon Sawan, Thailand. The following year he achieved the Top Score of 12,000 participants in the Minneapolis Star newspaper World Affairs Competition.
Upon graduation from high school Greg was accepted to The American University, Washington, D.C. and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Government and Public Administration. Greg also attended The University of Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai, Thailand and Soochow University, Taipei, Taiwan where he was awarded a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations/Thai Language.
Following his University graduations and before he would start his professional career, Greg and a few of his friends embarked on a world tour by air flight lasting several weeks. Stopping and visiting as many places as they could: Iceland, Europe, Asia, South East Asia, Africa, South America, Central America ,Hawaii, to name only a few.
Greg’s educational training brought him back to the nation’s capital, Washington, D.C. where he worked 45 years plus in the political arena on Capitol Hill. Greg was a legislative assistant to congressman Dan Kuykendall (R-TN), (1971); Caseworker for Senator Paul Laxalt (R-NV), (1975); Legislative Assistant to congresswoman Virginia Smith (R-NE), (1975); Legislative Analyst for DK consultants, Inc.(1977); Director of Political Action and Education for the Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc. (ABC),(1978); Legislative director to congressman Guy V. Molinari (R-NY), 1981); Congressional Liaison specialist , Office of Legislation U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), 1983); Travel Advance and Accounting division of American Express- The World Bank Division (1989).
Greg continued his travels and whenever his schedule permitted, he was off on another adventure often to one of his favorite places South East Asia. Visiting all of The Seven Wonders of the World was a goal that Greg set for himself and one that he accomplished.
Among the relatives surviving Greg are his aunts: Marcella of Denver, Colorado; Marilyn of Logan, Iowa; Jackie of Phoenix, Arizona; Darlene of Battle Lake; Fidelia of Eugene, Oregon, and Gwen of Seattle, Washington.
Greg has always been active in keeping his membership in the American Field Service (AFS). He believed that one should travel and get to know the many different people and cultures; and what better way to start than as a young exchange student, which is how he started years ago. In lieu of flowers, Greg had requested that memorial donations be made to AFS-USA, where they are involved with Intercultural programs and International High School Student programs
Although there will not be memorial service for Greg, his inurnment will be at Fridhem Cemetery, Clarkfield, MN. On August 4, 2014 at 11:00 AM.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Gregory Friberg, please visit our flower store.