“Conversations with him were never superficial,” Rosenthal said.
Bihlmaier was a devoted student in and out of the classroom. Rosenthal remembered one discussion he had with Bihlmaier about a potential paper topic that carried over into lunch.
“Nate was unique in that he sent me back a two-page bullet-pointed list of specific feedback,” Rosenthal said. “He wanted to respond not just with his own opinion, but how he thought it related to the class.”
Though Bihlmaier was dedicated to his academic work, friends said that he always struck a balance between work and life.
“I really do think Nate was a role model for the rest of us,” said Rosenthal.
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—Staff writer David W. Kaufman can be reached at davidkaufman@college.harvard.edu.