Posted by John Palmer on April 8, 2007:

As company mates Fred and I had communicated occasionally over the years, but when I was diagnosed with prostate cancer he was among the first people I called, and we talked and wrote frequently after that. He is the only person I know who could be so serious, sincere, and helpful in addressing the challenges of cancer, and at the same time sprinkle humor through his observations about the journey. For example, pc diagnosis normally comes with two numbers ? a PSA score and something called a Gleason score. The latter ranges from 2 through 10, with 10 being the absolute worst. During that first call Fred asked about my score and I reported an 8, then inquired about his. He reported a 10 - followed by a pause while he apparently reflected on his academic encounters at West Point. Then he said, ?Actually I take some pride in that score ? it?s the first time I?ve ever maxed anything that had a grade attached.? Those of us who had the privilege of knowing him over the years know that he maxed all the important areas ? classmate, soldier, father, and friend - along with courage, humor, integrity, and grace. He went far beyond a human doing. He was a human being, and this world is much the poorer now that he has moved on. My last e-mail to him, shown below, sums up my sentiments... Hey you old war horse, My spies tell me that you?re fighting the good fight with lots of humor between naps. So ? what?s new? That pretty well describes the guy that kept us from getting too serious in the lost fifties, and has been living life to the fullest in the 53 years between then and now... From the Berlin Wall to deciding when to bypass buildings sitting in the downward trajectory of incoming, you?ve managed to walk away intact ? even when you took some direct hits along the way. So - it will not surprise me to have you regale us with a few well chosen verses of Back in the Saddle at our fiftieth. If you can?t make it, know that an awfully big bunch of us will raise our glasses in your direction. As one who is following you down the pc path I admire your example, and trust that I can demonstrate the grace and courage that you have displayed. God bless ? and Grip hands, John

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