Press Releases
22 February 2001 - Robert L. Friedheim: an Appreciation
BOB FRIEDHEIM died of cancer at his home in California on 31 January. He will be sorely missed by those of us who knew him well and worked with him on numerous projects over a period of several decades. In addition to membership in various scholarly associations, Bob was one of the first to take out a membership in the World Council of Whalers.
Bob's scholarly work is marked by the combination of a longstanding and wide-ranging interest in marine affairs and a dedication to the development of rigorous methods for improving our understanding of bargaining and negotiation at the international level. His book on the development of the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea - Negotiating the New Ocean Regime - stands as a landmark in its field.
Over the years, his interests extended in a number of directions to cover such matters as the role of culture in international negotiations, the evolution of the international regime for whales and whaling, and the emergence of a new international order for the Arctic. At the time of his death, he was looking forward to the publication of an edited volume on the future of the international whaling regime. This book, a carefully-constructed collection of essays designed to bring the insights of research to bear on a complex and deeply-contested public issue, became a major project over a period of several years. Bob was able to see the page proofs for the book (soon to be released by the University of Washington Press and Canadian Circumpolar Institute Press) and to have the satisfaction of knowing that this project would reach a successful conclusion before he died.
Bob liked nothing better than a vigorous but friendly debate, especially when it touched on the links between theory and practice. He also loved a good meal accompanied by a fine wine. And he was an excellent skiing companion. What more could one ask for in a colleague! Those of us who had the privilege of knowing him and working with him from one decade to the next will cherish the memory of this outstanding colleague and friend.
Oran Young
Dartmouth College, U.S.A