[nfbwatlk] Mike Freeman's obituary

[Daniel Frye]

Colleagues and Friends:

It's taken me a while to capture my thoughts upon Mike's passing. As almost everybody has said, he was a brilliant, insightful, funny, and sometimes candid person. Smile! None can doubt that he was a strong advocate of, and believer in, the multiple causes of the Federation. He was both a wonderful follower and leader. And outside the Federation, he had a successful professional career with the Federal government as a Computer Systems person, demonstrated great talent with language and music, and offered memorable political commentary on events local and national. I've always respected Mike as a well-rounded human being, as well as a solid and reliable Federation leader.

Sitting in the Washington State delegation at the NFB National Convention will not be the same. It'll be there that his absence, for me, will be especially felt. I'd always be able to rely on Mike to offer a viewpoint on whatever may have been being discussed on the stage at any given time. Mike always made sitting at convention fun, companionable, and informative. Many may remember Mike as decisive and forceful about specific Federation issues, but I also knew the Mike that could be soft, gentle, accepting, and understanding of rationally conveyed ideas that may not have been consistent with his own. Mike had the spirit, if not actually membership in, the Unitarian Community, something that I believe we shared outside of our common Federation association.

In closing, I'll always regret that I waited too long to reach out to him, after learning that he was ill. My warmest regards are sent to Connie, his wife, and his daughter. Vancouver Washington, and the Washington State School for the Blind, as well as our legislative work within the affiliate, will never be the same in Mike's absence. But Mike would have encouraged us to celebrate and move on, and so we shall, having been forever influenced by Mike and his unique and ever-present personality. You'll always be remembered and missed. To the wall, Comrad!

With Kind Regards,

Daniel B. Frye, JD.
143 Clifford Street, Unit 3
Newark, NJ 07105
(973) 344-4518 (Home)
(410) 241-7006 (Personal Mobile)
(973) 951-1156 (Work Mobile)
(973) 648-2324 (Office)
danielfrye at earthlink.net (Personal)
daniel.frye at dhs.state.nj.us (Work)
Please forgive any typographical or other erros in messages sent from this account; this is being sent from my Braille-Note Touch.

On Dec 31, 2016 1:37 AM, Les Fitzpatrick via nfbwatlk <nfbwatlk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>
> I'll sure miss him. 
>
> -----Original Message----- 
> From: nfbwatlk [mailto:nfbwatlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Kaye Kipp 
> via nfbwatlk 
> Sent: Friday, December 30, 2016 6:28 PM 
> To: 'NFB of Washington Talk Mailing List' 
> Cc: Kaye Kipp 
> Subject: Re: [nfbwatlk] Mike Freeman's obituary 
>
> Thank you.  I looked for this and I couldn't find it. 
>
> I'm still totally shocked.  Mike will be missed. 
>
> Kaye 
>
> -----Original Message----- 
> From: nfbwatlk [mailto:nfbwatlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Marci 
> Carpenter via nfbwatlk 
> Sent: Friday, December 30, 2016 5:03 PM 
> To: NFB of Washington Talk Mailing List' List 
> Cc: Marci Carpenter 
> Subject: [nfbwatlk] Mike Freeman's obituary 
>
> JOSEPH "MIKE" MICHAEL FREEMAN 
> October 30, 1948 ~ December 24, 2016 
>
> Mike passed away December 24, 2016 from a cardiac event. As a child, Mike 
> attended the Washington State School for the Blind where he would later 
> serve as a member of several committees. He graduated from Columbia River 
> High School. He attended Reed College before receiving his Master's Degree 
> in physics from New Mexico State University. 
>
> Dedicated to public service, Mike spent many years in service to the 
> National Federation of the Blind. President of the Washington State chapter 
> for several years, he also served as a member of the national board. 
>
> Mike held his Ham Radio license for more than 50 years and has been an 
> active member of the Clark County Ham Radio Club. 
>
> Remembered for his great sense of humor, and love of lively conversation, 
> Mike was an accomplished musician and played numerous instruments. He and 
> his wife, Connie, enjoyed many travel adventures with their trailer. 
>
> Mike is survived by his wife, Connie Utterback, and daughter, Shanthi 
> Freeman. He was preceded in death by his parents Rex and Helen Freeman. 
>
> At Mike's request, no funeral service will be held. 
> Donations may be made to - 
> National Federation of the Blind 
> 200 East Wells Street 
> Baltimore, Maryland 21230 
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