One year later: in memory of FredHJr
It hardly seems possible that a year has passed since the tragic and untimely death of FredHJr, one of the most memorable and prolific commenters here. His loss to this community is a great one, and I miss him still. We could sorely use a large dose of his wit and wisdom.
The loss his family feels is far greater, and I am thinking of them today and hoping they have found comfort in the memory of his love and faith.
And now I will reprise some words I wrote last year when I first heard of Fred’s death:
Even though none of us actually met Fred in the real world, most of the regulars here knew FredHjr as I knew him””a brilliant mind containing knowledge of unusual depth and breadth, and demonstrating a rare ability to articulate his thoughts with precision, grace, and logic; a staunch patriot and passionate defender of liberty who never pulled his punches; a “changer” who had been a Marxist in his youth and held a vast storehouse of expertise on how the Left thinks and operates; a seeker of truth with an almost inexhaustible interest in the world around him; and a man of strong religious faith and great and abiding love for his family.
The news of his extremely untimely and tragic death comes as a great shock. It’s also a reminder that people here can become an important part of our lives; we feel as though we know them, even though our knowledge of them is only of the virtual sort. But minds meeting minds is a very powerful thing nonetheless.
[NOTE: Here is Fred’s obituary.]
Thanks for the reminder, Neo.
I will go link this at Belmont Club, where he was also a valued commenter.
Miss him also….
FredHJr exemplified the beauty of the blogosphere, that a clear mind and a stout heart in NH became known to us all. I miss his eloquent insights. When I see his photo, I feel I knew the man.
I have though of him often in the tumult of this past year. You are correct, hard to believe that an entire year has passed.
As above, thanks for the reminder.
I miss him… and have thought of him often
Yes, time flies. Hard to believe it has been a year.
I miss him everytime I come here.
Ditto
He lives on in our memory, and in the impact he had on his many readers. Ave frater.
I am sorry to say that, because I’m a bit of a Johnny-come-lately here, I know FredHJr more from others’ frequent and fond remembrances than from my own readings of his posts. I wonder–could we have some links to his best posts? I’d love to check them out.
Betsybounds: if you go back to almost any post from 2008 till Fred’s death in June of 2009, you’ll probably find comments from him. He was very active here during that time (I don’t remember exactly when he came, but I believe it was some time in 2008). Here are some I’ve chosen from a single week in early June of last year, to give you some idea of his output and style:
http://neoneocon.com/2009/06/11/captain-obama-full-speed-ahead/#comment-112255
http://neoneocon.com/2009/06/11/captain-obama-full-speed-ahead/#comment-112215
http://neoneocon.com/2009/06/06/victor-davis-hansons-reckoning/#comment-111947
http://neoneocon.com/2009/06/12/i-took-me-out-to-the-ball-game/#comment-112389
http://neoneocon.com/2009/06/06/victor-davis-hansons-reckoning/#comment-111844
http://neoneocon.com/2009/06/05/allan-bloom-and-the-struggle-for-the-soul-of-the-university/#comment-111669
http://neoneocon.com/2009/06/03/more-from-a-recovering-liberal/#comment-111374
Thanks for the reminder Neo. I always enjoyed FredH’s commentary and insights. He was what used to be called tough minded in that he fearlessly demanded clarity from himself and from others here. I’ve missed his presence too.
Thanks so much, Neo. I’ve started reading the links.
What a fine remembrance for such a fine man.
http://neoneocon.com/2009/06/12/i-took-me-out-to-the-ball-game/#comment-112389
That was a good thread. I must have missed that the first time around.
There are other regulars here who have similar impact, and who I would miss as well – I always learn and marvel at the quality of the conversation here.
We miss him.
Thanks for honoring him Neo.
Has it been a year? I miss his insightful comments as well.
I always felt a certain affinity for Fred. We were about the same age, and were both Army vets. But whereas I’ve been a lifelong conservative, Fred had his leftist period, which, as Neo said, served him well in understanding the left’s tactics and aims. Zum wohl, meine alte Kamerade.
God Bless and Happy Trails, Fred. I will avail myself of the links provided for Betsy, Neo-Neo.
Thanks for the link backs, Neo. I had earlier looked for some.
Fred expresses what I knew I was thinking and with a certain ferocity that I greatly admire.
I’d like to offer this poem again that I sent to neo last year in remembrance of FredHJr.
TRUE MEASURE
author unknown
How long we live is not for us to say
We may have years ahead, or but a day.
The length of life is not of our control,
But length is not the measure of the soul…
Not length, but width and depth define the span
By which the world takes measure of a man.
It matters not how long before we sleep,
But only how wide is our life…how deep.
His was a life both wide and deep. May God bless and comfort his family and friends.