Did You Hear About Fred?

Early one morning last week while in the office composing some emails, I received a short email from Robert who works at a large university medical center.  Robert was asking me about a projector mount I had ordered for him.  At the end of his email he asked me one short and simple question.

"Did you hear about Fred?"

My heart skipped a beat as if I already knew the answer.  I had not heard anything about Fred but my subconscious was somehow aware.  I had hoped that he must have meant something else.  You see, I had become close with Fred over the months and probably knew more about him than most of his other business acquaintances.  I had worked with him on several projects and we were just finishing up one project that was particularly intense and I had spent a great deal of time with him on it.  During those months I learned about his family life, his home town, his politics, his education and about his motorcycle. 

Monday, July 18th was the day Fred left this world.  A woman who he did not know, was at his side offering him comfort on the shoulder of the Dan Ryan Expressway before the paramedics arrived.  Robert worked with him for 11 years and for Robert, this was the same day that his daughter came into the world.

I knew Fred for only one year but I feel I knew him for many years.  He was a very smart and kind individual with a great sense of humor and a pleasure to be around.  Even though our relationship was initially business-based within the audio visual world of design, I feel he became my friend and I will miss him very much.