Frederick William Freund

FREUND, Frederick ?Fritz? Kalamazoo Frederick W. ?Fritz? Freund was born April 12, 1939 to the late Henry and Dorothy Freund in Evansville, IN. As a youth he was awarded the rank of Eagle Scout. He received a Bachelor of Science of Forestry and Wildlife Conservation from Purdue University in 1961. While attending Purdue, he was a member of ROTC, Alpha Phi Omega, a national service fraternity, and was a member of the cast in several plays. This love of theatre has continued through his life, only now as a spectator and not a performer. He joined the professional side of Boy Scouts of America and worked as a District Executive and then Assistant Scout Executive for the Buffalo Trace Council in Evansville, IN. While there he was one of the Leaders of the Goodwill Ambassador Scouting Expedition to Europe. He also led numerous trips to Mexico with the Explorer Scouts. He moved to Milwaukee, WI to direct a part of its Field Operations. Upon the concept of Career Exploring, developed by as industrialist in California, Mr. Freund accepted the Directorship of one of the first Exploring Divisions in the country and became part of the national Development Program. During the next several years he traveled extensively to help in the development of other Exploring Divisions and the Exploring Annual Conference held in Washington, DC, which helped teach the Explorers political science. Because of all he did for the Exploring Program, he was awarded the Bronze Big Horn. With a move to Champaign/Urbana, IL, Mr. Freund became the Scout Executive for that council. While there, he also served on the National Council Computer Users panel, participated in the rewrite of the Cub Scout Division?s ?Best Methods? manual and was an Advisor for an Explorer Unit. With a move to Kalamazoo, MI, he became the Scout Executive of the Southwest Michigan Council. While there he was one of seven Scout Executives who created the Trails End Popcorn sales program. With his vision, creativity and leadership, the first Cub Scout Themed Resident Camp in the nation was built at Camp Rota-Kiwan. It was not long before other councils throughout the country were visiting the facility and creating their own resident Cub Camps styled in a like manner. After 32 years of service with the Boy Scouts, he retired to become the Executive Director of the Irving S. Gilmore Foundation. He was the second Executive Director and became the C.E.O. and Executive Vice-President in charge of operations and admissions. As part of his position, he reported to the Board of Directors and met with all the Grant Seekers, those seeking grants from non-profit organizations. He loved his job and everyone loved him. He liked helping people. He has been a faithful member of Rotary for over 30 years, is the Irving S. Gilmore representative on the Timothy U. Light Foundation, a member of the Kalamazoo County Foundations Board and a member of the First United Methodist Church. He fought a valiant fight over a 10 years period with his illness. Fritz and his wife, Jane, have two sons. Along with his wife, he is survived by son Scott, his wife Lori and their children, Meagen, Emily, Anna and Makenzie. His other son Tony, his wife Kelly recently deceased and children, Alexis, Garret and Leanna. Also surviving are a brother, Jerry and Patricia Freund; sister Judy and Jerry Munk; nephews Jerry Julie, Jeffery Beth; and niece, Jenny. Memorial services will be conducted at 11:00 AM Tuesday in the First United Methodist Church, 212 S. Park St. with the Rev. Dr. Doug Vernon officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the West Michigan Cancer Center, the Southwest Michigan Boy Scouts of Michigan or the First United Methodist Church.