Headline: READERS
REMEMBER
Publication:
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
Last Printed: Sun., Jan. 5, 2003
Section: SPECIAL SECTION, Page: E2, Edition: FIVE STAR LIFT
___________________
Of the many excellent
qualities of Greg Freeman, I most admired his civic vision. In a region racked
by political fragmentation, economic stress, and social conflict, his voice
was a consistent, clear call to reach for better possibilities for our community
and ourselves. His persuasiveness was magnified by his respectful regard for
those who disagreed.
He
urged the people of the St. Louis region to appreciate their heritage as a foundation
for creating a better future. St. Louis has long battled an inferiority complex.
Greg Freeman knew the antidote. He marshaled the good will of caring people
to work together a step at a time.
- Jerry B. Wamser,
St. Louis
___________________
As a transplanted
St. Louisan, I have kept contact with my native city mainly through daily reading
the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. I have several columns that I always read, and
Greg Freeman's became one of my favorites very quickly.
St.
Louis was lucky to have been his home town and luckier still to have kept him
and his values living and working there through his short life.
- Joyce Noll,
Ironton, Mo.
___________________
Greg Freeman taught
me how to stay and fight the good fight. I must admit, there have been times
when I was ready to leave St. Louis and spend time with my friends in Baltimore.
After 20 years of living in St. Louis, and with a shy personality that tends
to make me socially aloof, I still felt like an outsider. It became relatively
easy for me to criticize the dearth of progressive, visionary leaders, the redundancies
in municipal government and the countless townships and neighborhood subdivisions
that interfere with regional planning, and the entrenched racial segregation
that we are still loath to acknowledge.
I
yearned for a voice of moderation, someone who could see the glass half full
and help us transform our region's weaknesses into opportunities. Greg Freeman
was that person.
Greg
preached and practiced personal investment in St. Louis' many resources, racial
bridge-building and positive action through positive thought.
I could do no less. It is with pride that I now reside in Greg's
favorite neighborhood, the Central West End, with my wife and two children and
try to offer my time and energies to just causes.
Greg Freeman, by words and deeds, taught us to work together to
build a community of racial trust and openness, with an appreciation of the
diverse cultures, attitudes and beliefs that lend color, vitality, and creativity
to St. Louis. I have accepted his challenge to stay and fight and look forward
to the enlightened, robust St. Louis that he envisioned.
- Dr. Will Ross,
Associate dean and director of diversity programs, Washington University School
of Medicine
___________________
I will miss Mr.
Freeman for many reasons.
For one, he irritated me with his, at times, pontificating insights
of what needs fixing in this, and other, communities. Why did that irritate
me? Because he was right and I did not want to hear it.
Another irritation was his seemingly boundless optimism regarding
this community. I did not share it.
Most of all I will miss Mr. Freeman because he forced me to think
about issues that are uncomfortable. Isn't that the real calling of a journalist?
If it is, then Mr. Freeman succeeded. Perhaps beyond his wildest expectations.
Thank you Mr. Freeman for sharing you wisdom and time with us.
Peace.
- Matthew Borzymowski,
St. Louis
___________________
Greg had an extraordinary,
ordinary voice which was the conscience of this great region. He walked among
us as few reporters do, and gently and quietly observed what he saw every day.
I
spoke to him over the years about a variety of issues and once participated
in a Wash U. social work class discussion with him. I vividly remember a long
conversation we had about what's right about St. Louis in the parking lot after
our panel was over.
The glass was half full with Greg . . . no doubt about that! No
one will ever have quite the same voice, but I urge the Post to encourage what
I saw in him in all reporters and columnists - be involved citizens, be open
to new ideas, and don't be afraid to let your voice be heard.
- Allison Collinger,
St. Louis Rams
___________________
Like many St.
Louisans, I was shocked and saddened to learn about Greg Freeman.
My fondest memories of Greg are from the time that I spent as Mayor
Vince Schoemehl's lobbyist at the St. Louis Board of Alderman. Like most public
employees, I had been trained to be wary and watchful of all reporters. (Greg)
was always curious but never judgmental. Always concerned about the future of
St. Louis. My wariness of his profession soon dissolved in a solution of respect
and admiration.
He
had a job to do and he did it well, but he was never out to trap people or misuse
a confidence. Over the years, I was a guest on his radio show several times
and no matter how much his public persona had evolved, he never changed. He
desperately tried to understand the challenges that faced the region and to
somehow construct solutions. He understood very clearly that our most serious
problem, race, needs to be confronted head-on by the many good people in this
community.
Perhaps, all of us who knew and admired him will have the courage
to fill this void. His life deserves no less.
- Thomas J. Irwin,
Senior vice president, St.
Louis Regional Chamber and Growth Association
___________________
It is hard to
know how important a person is until it is too late to let that person know
how valuable he was to the community.
I loved reading his column for his thoughts about how this town should love
itself and each other, no matter what your color is.
- Richard M. Olson,
Fenton
*****************************************************
Headline: READERS
REMEMBER
Publication:
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
Last Printed: Sun., Jan. 5, 2003
Section: SPECIAL SECTION, Page: E3, Edition: FIVE STAR LIFT
I began reading
Greg Freeman's column two years ago during a time of trouble in my life, and
it truly touched my heart and my mind.
Today, when I retrieved the paper and saw that Greg was no longer
with us, I felt a deep sorrow.
Most of all I was touched by his columns about his family. His
deep love for his wife and son, Will. And, of course, Will's cat. I fondly remember
the column when the cat came to stay with them when he was being neutered and
would climb on the mantel and knock things off. I truly appreciate the fact
he openly shared his family and life with us.
- Rhonda L. Gravemann,
East Alton
___________________
It is somewhat
amazing to me how the death of someone you don't know can affect you so strongly.
Last summer, being a devout Cardinals fan, it was the deaths of Jack Buck and
Darryl Kile that hit me hard. And now, at the end of 2002, it was the loss of
Greg Freeman.
When reading Greg's columns about his son, I often wondered if
Will was embarrassed by them. Young men often aren't real comfortable with that
kind of sentiment and feeling, especially when it's there in print for everyone
to see. I hope that he understood how lucky he was to have a father who loved
him that much and who wasn't afraid to express it. Would that every child could
grow up with a father with Greg's kind of heart showing him the way.
- Kris Lokemoen,
Olivette
___________________
The first piece I ever read of Greg's was his Father's Day column about the loss of his father. I, too, lost my father at a relatively young age and Greg's description of his loss, love and respect really touched my soul. It is the only column I have ever cut out of a newspaper and saved.
- Roy Cleveland,
St. Louis County
___________________
I saw the paper this morning and was STUNNED! I am sad to see such a gifted journalist go. I looked forward to opening the paper and seeing his trademark grin. I loved the story he wrote about the chitterlings, or chitlins as they're called! That one stood out and made me laugh, as well as when he talks about Cornelius the cat. He always managed to put a positive spin on everything . . . his weight, his illness, and he will be truly missed.
- Camille McGee,
Alorton
___________________
This past summer
one of Mr. Freeman's columns was of particular interest to me and I fell right
into it, hanging on every word.
I composed an e-mail agreeing with him on the idea that what is
worn by preteens and teens should be somewhat monitored. I also provided that
I was then 14 and pretty nervous about going to Rosati-Kain at the end of the
summer because I figured all the girls in my class would be callous and cruel.
In his reply, Mr. Freeman gave me great advice and assured me I
should embark upon this new endeavor with a positive attitude and a sense of
humor. His compassion to my situation gave me the courage to walk into the school
with a carefree attitude which won me several friends.
I apply his advice to nearly everything I do every day. His advice
and example has led me to be more compassionate to others by trying to consider
the other person's situation. Mr. Freeman was a wonderful, sweet man, and I
will take his memory and advice with me every day.
- Mary Erler,
St. Charles
___________________
I normally do
not write much to express passing, but I felt that I wanted to become one of
the thousands who will respond to Greg's passing.
I just wanted to say that his last article about what's for Christmas
dinner just touched my wife very much to the extent she called at least five
people to mention what he had to say. Needless to say, that is exactly what
happens in our family. His articles will be missed.
- Bill and Bettie
Dowdy, Florissant
___________________
I feel as though
I have lost an acquaintance. You know the kind: someone you don't see much but
when you do see them, you are glad you did.
Several of his columns about his son struck a chord with me. I
raised daughters who seemed to have been in a parallel universe with his son.
I did mention it to him one time in an e-mail, and he replied.
I was always struck by the fact that he took time to respond. I fear we have
lost a voice of reason and sanity in this sometimes insane world.
- Darrell Dortch,
Florissant
___________________
What I found personally
appealing about Mr. Freeman was that he answered his e-mail. I wrote to him
many times, the very first time being his column about Cornelius the cat. I
felt like I knew Greg.
I am sure that Heaven is a brighter place with Greg in it now.
I know that the world certainly was.
Jody Ditto, Maryland
Heights
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