Fred Wise

Fred was a VERY good friend who taught me a lot about how to be a good friend.  But his caring spirit reached far beyond his close friends and family.  Fred gave to organziations he believed in (and NOT to those he didn't even if doing so might have been strategic for personal gain of one sort or another) and could be seen quietly handing some cash to a down-and-outer on the street who obviously needed a meal.  Fred never paraded his kindness... but it was omnipresent.

Chief Tecumseh of the Shawnee Nation is said to have authored the following death prayer.  It seems to fit Fred perfectly:

"So live your life that the fear of death can never
enter your heart. Trouble no one about their religion;
respect others in their view, and demand that they
respect yours. Love your life, perfect your life,
beautify all things in your life. Seek to make your
life long and its purpose in the service of your
people. Prepare a noble death song for the day when
you go over the great divide. Always give a word or a
sign of salute when meeting or passing a friend, even
a stranger, when in a lonely place. Show respect to
all people and grovel to none. When you arise in the
morning, give thanks for the food and for the joy of
living. If you see no reason for giving thanks, the
fault lies only in yourself. Abuse no one and nothing,
for abuse turns the wise ones to fools and robs the
spirit of its vision. When it comes your time to die,
be not like those whose hearts are filled with the
fear of death, so that when their time comes they weep
and pray for a little more time to live their lives
over again in a different way. Sing your death song
and die like a hero going home."

--Chief Tecumseh, Shawnee Nation

Fred is a hero going home... 

Paul