Little Falls – Norman Gunter Freund, M.D. 56, of Little Falls passed away unexpectedly in the Adirondack Park with his loving wife, Dorothy, by his side. Norm was a Hospitalist at Little Falls Hospital and was deeply committed to his patients and community.
He was born on September 24, 1965, in Tawas, Michigan, the son of Dorothea (Pohla) Bitterlich and the late Gunter Freund. Dr. Freund was valedictorian of the Chippewa Valley High School graduating class of 1983. He then pursued his education at West Point Military Academy where he graduated in the top third of his class in 1987.
After graduating from West Point, he was stationed in Germany as Platoon Leader for the VII Corps First Infantry Division. He was one of the first to receive and train on the Bradley Fighting vehicle. He was then rapidly promoted to First Lieutenant. After his promotion, he was deployed in November of 1990 to Operation Desert Shield, and he remained there for the initial phase of Operation Desert Storm. He was recognized for his distinguished service with a Bronze Star and Purple Heart. In July of 1992, he was honorably discharged with the rank of Captain.
In 1995, he went to Debrecen, Hungary to pursue medicine at the Medical and Health Science Centre. He completed clinical clerkships at Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown during med school and returned to Central New York as his first choice of residency upon graduating in 2001. It was extremely important for Norm to give back to his community with relentless energy and dedication to his patients.
Norman was united in marriage to Dorothy Connor on May 23, 2009, at Inlet, NY. They have since created a beautiful life together, doing the things that Norm loved the most; spending time with their children, biking, hiking and traveling in their camper van, Rudy.
His survivors include, his loving wife, Dorothy; his mother, Dorothea Bitterlich, of Herkimer; his daughter, Erica Freund and partner Ben Hobaica; sons, Alexander Freund and partner Alexandra Martin, Ronald Gage III and wife Sara Annutto, and Gerry Wiegand III and wife Lynsie; a granddaughter, Nella Wiegand; in-laws, John Connor, Eileen Connor and Deborah Sommers and husband Mark, and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was pre-deceased by his son, Connor Gage and his stepfather, Max Bitterlich.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, May 28, 2022, at 10:00 am at Holy Family Parish, corner of Main and John Streets, Little Falls, with Reverend Brian Slezak, officiating. The family will be receiving relatives and friends on Friday, May 27, 2022, from 5-8 pm at the Holy Family Parish in Little Falls, NY. Arrangements are under the caring guidance of the Vincent A. Enea Funeral Service, (next to Hannaford Markets), 527 E. Albany St., Herkimer, NY. 315-866-1500. In lieu of flowers, please make all memorial contributions to the Adirondack Mountain Club or a monetary donation that will go towards a plaque in dedication to Norm on a Memorial Pathway in Lake Placid.
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