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

 

COPYRIGHT © 2003, ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH

Daniel Schesch - Webweaver

 

Gregory Freeman writings - home page