Harry Greenbaum - Brookings

March 26, 1932 - Dec. 6, 2018

Posted

Harry Greenbaum, loving husband, father, and grandfather, 86, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Dec. 6, 2018, at the Neighborhoods at Brookview, in Brookings. A private burial will be held Dec. 10, 2018, and a celebration of life to follow in the spring. Rude’s Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Harry Greenbaum was born on March 26, 1932, in Schotten, Germany, to Arthur and Hedy (Blum) Greenbaum. He emigrated to the United States in October 1938, less than one month before Kristallnacht. His family lived in New York for almost four years before moving to a small farm in Toms River, NJ, where he grew up as an only child. Harry earned his bachelor’s degree in agriculture from Texas A&M University in 1955. He subsequently earned his master’s degree (1956) and doctoral degree in 1961 in agricultural economics from The Ohio State University. 

Harry joined the economics department at South Dakota State University in Brookings in 1961. Always looking for opportunities to explore cultural diversity, he engaged in an 18-month research fellowship in in 1964 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. While in Brazil, he met the love if his life, Lillian Greenbaum (Saalfeld). Harry and Lillian joined in their long and loving marriage on April 11, 1969.

Harry enjoyed a successful career engaging in research and teaching economics at SDSU, where he received a variety of honors. 

In addition to his work in Brookings, Harry taught in SDSU’s master’s program at Ellsworth Air Force Base in Rapid City between 1967 and 1975, and he spent a semester in a faculty exchange program with the Autonomous University of Morelos, Mexico, in fall 1992. Harry retired from SDSU as Professor Emeritus of Economics in 1995 after 34 years with the University.

In retirement, Harry continued his exploration of geography, politics, philosophy, and culture through travel. He also loved to spend time with his family and friends and to debate solutions to the world’s problems.

Harry is survived by his wife of 49 years, Lillian, his two sons, Robert Greenbaum of Columbus, OH, and Michael Greenbaum of White Bear Lake, MN; four grandchildren: Jacob, Jackson, Reese, and Maya Greenbaum.

Memorial remembrances may be directed to the South Dakota State University Economics Department, Mt. Zion Congregation in Sioux Falls, Newtrax, Inc in White Bear Lake, MN, or the Brookings Regional Humane Society.

Condolences may be sent to the family through www.rudesfuneralhome.com.