A very good friend died Sunday

[Oeditpus Rex]

http://www.freelancenews.com/news/245252-longtime-journalist-wrede-dies-at-age-74

I just found out a couple of hours ago.



Herman was a gifted reporter, editor and writer. He could crank out a news story on deadline or a column reminiscent of youth that would have you smelling the aroma of grass stains on your jeans. Language was his instrument, whether written or spoken, and he a virtuoso.

He was also the last true gentleman I knew. He said "I beg your pardon" instead of "What?" and always rose when a woman entered the room.

He was my friend, a mentor and something of a father figure. I shall miss him a great deal.

[SeattleGirl]

1. I'm so sorry, Oedi.

He sounds like a wonderful man. :hug:

[Oeditpus Rex]

4. He was

Thanks. :hug:

[jobycom]

2. Condolences, OR. Sounds like a wonderful person. nt

[devilgrrl]

3. I'm very sorry about your friend

:hug:

[Dangerously Amused]

5. Oh honey. So sorry for your loss.

Everyone's loss, really.

Godspeed, Herman. Many hugs to you, dear Oedi.

:hug:

[Pushed To The Left]

6. I'm very sorry to hear about your loss, Oeditpus Rex

:hug:

[SalmonChantedEvening]

7. Condolences my friend

:hug: :pals:

RIP Herman

[Lyric]

8. I'm sorry sweetness

:hug:

[Maestro]

9. My condolences.

Always hard to lose a good friend.

[Callalily]

10. I am so sorry for the

loss of your friend. I will keep his family and you too in my thoughts and prayers.

:hug:

[Fran Kubelik]

11. I am so sorry, Oedi.

:hug: My thoughts are with you.

[YankeyMCC]

12. All my sympathies Oeditpus...

it sounds like this person truly enriched your life it's clear the absence of his dynamic living presence will be difficult to adjust to but that just points to how much he truly enriched you already.

Be well.

[bertha katzenengel]

13. I'm sorry, Rex

[xchrom]

14. Peace be with you and also with his family. nt

[Haole Girl]

15. True gentlemen..

are few and far between.

I'm sorry to hear about your friend.

:hug:

[Phentex]

16. I'm sorry...

I know how that hurts. :hug:

[RainDog]

17. condolences

for your friend

[Bullwinkle925]

18. Some people enter our lives and make such an impact upon us . . .

this man certainly did for you.

I know you will miss him greatly - thank goodness you had such a wonderful person you called *friend*.

[redqueen]

19. I'm sorry...

[skygazer]

20. I'm sorry to hear that

He sounds like an interesting guy. It's always tough to lose a friend. :hug:

[Reverend_Smitty]

21. I just saw this thread...

I'm sorry for your loss...it seems like the number of truly great newspaper men dwindles every day, and it's a shame

[Oeditpus Rex]

27. Yup — and they're making precious few more of them

Somewhat ironically, the guy who wrote that short obit is a graduate of one of the best J-schools in the country — the University of Wisconsin. He writes well, but he has little feel for journalism (I used to be his editor), and he used to make fun of Herman, as arrogant youth will often do.

(I'm not saying youth=arrogance. I'm saying Kollin is one of those young hotshots who are arrogant.)

[Reverend_Smitty]

31. My grandfather was one of them...

he used to tell me stories about Cuba when he was sent down there right around the fall of the Bautista regime and how he used to pal around with both the cops and the mobsters in our city back in the 50's and 60's.

Actually 2 stories he covered were actually adapted into episodes of a TV show called "The Big Story" (although I think 1 was on the radio and the other on the TV...but still) and he had 2 plaques sponsored by Pal Mal cigarettes to prove it :P

It used to be such a cool and romantic profession and now...well...it has lost a bit of luster.

[lightningandsnow]

22. I'm sorry.

He sounds like an amazing person.

:hug:

[BarenakedLady]

23. I'm sorry Oedi.

:hug:

[AlCzervik]

24. i'm so sorry Oedi.

That was a nice article and he sounds like he was a wonderful person.


:hug:

[Phillycat]

25. Oh, I'm so sorry.

He sounds like a great guy. :hug:

[bluesbassman]

26. May your grief be short.

Sorry to hear of your loss. Good friends a treasure, mentors are priceless.

[applegrove]

28. So sorry.

[Whoa_Nelly]

29. You have wonderful memories of him

Probably more than you have listed here.

You are lucky.

Am sorry that he is gone because you will miss him for a very long time...probably always. :hug:

[Oeditpus Rex]

30. One I forgot until just now:

Herman could come up with the worst puns — but he made 'em funny because he'd look at you absolutely deadpan when he finished. I'd "Ooooooo" at the pun but laugh at his delivery. :D

[Zavulon]

32. Condolences, buddy.

I know what it's like to lose a good friend and don't even wish that sort of pain on Republicans.

The best advice I could give you at this point, even going on the arrogant assumption that you need any, is this: if you're anything like me, make it clear from the outset that cliches and platitudes aren't nearly as appreciated as whatever intent may be behind them. I had a good friend die in a DUI (he wasn't the drunk one, the other driver was), and at one point I was ready to disembowel the next person who told me "time heals all wounds." Time hasn't healed this one, and it took place in 1988.

Best wishes, Rex.

- Z