Former lab PR chief dies at 77

0 Comments | Oakland Tribune, Jun 12, 2007 | by Lea Blevins

LIVERMORE -- The man largely credited with giving a positive image to Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory died Tuesday, June 5, 2007. He was 77.

Charlie Biederman, former director of public affairs for the lab, was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis three to four years ago, having previously had lung cancer.

He was born Dec. 3, 1929, in Chicago, where he spent most of his youth until moving to Appleton, Wis. He majored in journalism at the University of Wisconsin.

Biederman came to Livermore in 1989 after working for General Electric in Connecticut and advertising firms in NewYork. Livermore Lab hired him from a national search.

He worked at the lab through 1995 when he retired and moved to Rochester, Vt., with his wife, Carol.

Biederman and his wife had recently returned from a month in Italy with a group of friends, including T J Gilmartin.

Gilmartin, a Livermore resident, was a scientist at the lab working on staff for the directors. He used to travel around the country with Biederman to give talks and interviews on behalf of the lab, and during this time the two became friends.

"He believed in the missions of the lab and really felt he could help the country understand what the lab did," Gilmartin said.

As director of public affairs, Biederman got out into the community, joining groups such as the Livermore Rotary.

Another former co-worker, Jeff Garberson, said Biederman successfully managed to improve the lab's image to the public at a time when it hadn't been positive in some people's perceptions.

"He improved community relations in a way that was more effective than anybody had hoped," Garberson said.

Garberson, who reported to Biederman, said he was confident his former boss had an influence on getting the National Ignition Facility brought to Livermore Lab when there was competition for it at several national sites. But he said his friend never seemed to get the credit he was due for his role in making the lab a more attractive place.

"I have always believed that Charlie deserved significant credit for bringing the community together in support of the lab," Garberson said.

Both men said Biederman was known as someone who could bring differing people together -- "diplomatically able," Gilmartin said.

Barry Schrader was head of public information at the neighboring Sandia National Laboratories during Biederman's tenure and the two worked together on various occasions.

"He was the finest and most professional public affairs head that Lawrence Lab ever had," said Schrader, who worked at Livermore Lab after retiring from Sandia. "Charlie was not only a true professional in his field but a wonderful community participant."

Biederman's daughter, Martha Abbene, said her father became even more involved in service work after retirement.

After moving to Vermont, he served on Rochester's three-person selectboard, serving as a type of mayor to the town. Most recently he was working on a project to regionalize the operations of five towns for things such as schools, emergency response and water.

He also traveled internationally to countries such as Pakistan, India and China to do work for women's literacy and education, often on behalf of Rotary International.

Abbene said she will remember her dad as "very funny and very positive."

Outside of his work, Biederman was known to friends for his knowledge on current events and unusual hobbies.

At age 65, Biederman taught his friend Gilmartin to windsurf on Lake Del Valle in Livermore. He was a "voracious" reader of books with political topics and biographies.

While living in Livermore, he participated in a walking group that met Sunday mornings at Sycamore Grove Park.

He continued to enjoy hobbies such as skiing, racquetball and tennis in his later years.

"He really was a wonderful, guruish kind of person -- many people seem to have that impression of him," Gilmartin said. "He really knew how to live life."

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Carol; his daughter, Martha Abbene of San Francisco; his son, William Biederman and his wife, Allison, of Ripton, Vt.; his sister, Peg Winter of Phoenix; and five grandchildren.

A party is planned for July 21 in Vermont. Donations may be made to the Charlie Biederman Literacy Project, Tri-Valley Bank, Attn: Kathryn Hohl or Patty Velasco, 1756 First St., Livermore, 94550. The project, being done through Rotary International, has tax ID No. EIN 02-0809106.

Contact staff writer Lea Blevins at lblevins@angnewspapers.com or (925) 416-4819.