Henry Froelich, Former Mamiya Chairman, Has Died

Henry Froelich, longtime chairman of Mamiya America, died today, a week after he suffered a heart attack.  I am sure this will be sad news to many photographers whose work he supported over the years. It's very sad to me. I am hard pressed to think of another person I've met in the photo industry who was sweeter or more gentlemanly than Mr. Froelich.

Here's a testament to how well liked Mr. Froelich was. The only time I saw Annie Leibovitz in person, she was walking into a Mamiya-sponsored party, and when she saw Mr. Froelich, her face lit up. "Henry!" she cried, as she threw her arms wide and bent down to envelope him in a big, warm hug.

Long after he retired from his official position leading Mamiya America in 2000, Mr. Froelich continued to support the photo industry. He and his wife, Marian, could always be counted on to attend PMA or the Infinity Awards at ICP.

Mr. Froelich was always remarkably gracious to PDN and to me personally. If he thought an article was well written or if an issue held particular interest for him, he took the time to call and  tell me so. Given Mr. Froelich's deep knowledge of photography,  I felt hugely flattered.

My thoughts are with his wife, Marian, who was his friend and constant companion through decades of  challenge, success, world travel and adventure.

Comments

[Jonathan Spira]

Sic transit gloria mundi.

Henry's passing, coming so close after Burt Keppler's and just a few months after my father's, marks the close of an era.

It's sad to see the people you grew up around leaving.

-Jonathan Spira

[Hiroyasu Ushijima]

I have no word for the sad news because of poor communication in English.
I'm a commercial photographer in Japan and met Mr. Froelich when I visited the MAC in mid 90s. He maintain my tired RB about ten minutes and I could do some more job in America. Of course I bought RB-SD as soon as back to my country.
I remember his card typed his name in Japanese given by Mr. Matsushita. Froelich sounds Never get old and a man with plenty of money in Japanese. So Matsushita create his name in our spelling.
Silverman (I am sorry if wrong) at the MAC who are rail fan gave me a train magazine is a good memory and I love the American trains now. I also met some crew at MAC and all of the memberthere was friendly and was a good memory for me.