Author: Duane Fickeisen

The Rev. Dr. Sidney L. Freeman, 85, died January 12, 2012. He held a BS from the University of Wisconsin, an MA from Bowling Green University, and a PhD from Cornell. He served the UU Church of Charlotte, NC, for 32 years, where he was named minister emeritus. He was a lay minister at the First Unitarian Church of Lynchburg, VA and served as a chaplain at Cedar Spring Hospital in Pineville, NC. He was an instructor of communication arts at Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte, NC; and associate professor of speech and drama at Sweet Briar College in VA. He was an advocate for mental health, serving as president of Charlotte’s Mental Health Association. He is survived by his wife, Gaynell B. Freeman; his children, Lynn Freeman Love, David Freeman, Michael Freeman, and T. Michael Williams; twelve grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

Ruth Melchior Fleck, 89, widow of the Rev. G. Peter Fleck, died peacefully at Cape Cod Hospital, South Orleans, MA on May 1, 2008, surrounded by her three daughters. She grew up in the Netherlands and immigrated to the United States with her beloved husband in 1941. He predeceased her. Her kindness and generosity touched many lives. In retirement she became an accomplished photographer. She had a talent for recognizing and appreciating what was special in each individual. Throughout her life, she maintained a wide correspondence, sending note cards made with her own photographs to commemorate birthdays, anniversaries, or just the warmth of her good wishes.

The Rev. F. David Fisher, 81, died June 26, 2010. After earning his AB in philosophy at Oberlin he served in the US Army. He received his MD from University of Rochester (NY). He practiced internal medicine and then earned masters in public health and divinity. He completed a psychiatry residency at Wright State School of Medicine (Dayton, OH). He taught at University of Utah and Yale University School of Medicine. He was ward psychiatrist at Northern NH Mental Health Services. He later served as part-time minister with the UU Fellowship of the Eastern Slopes (Conway, NH). A lifelong UU, he was active in many congregations as fellowship co-founder, layman, minister and choir director. He was Florida District’s volunteer coordinator for GA in 2008 in Ft. Lauderdale. He volunteered to promote equality for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people. He enjoyed community theater as an actor, singer and dancer. He is survived by his life partner, Paul Alpert, his daughter, Dana Ashrawi and his son-in-law; his son, Kent Fisher, five grandchildren and two sisters.

 

Elinor F. Potter Fewkes, 79, wife of the Rev. Richard M. Fewkes died August 29, 2009 at home in hospice care after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s disease. She was a graduate of Thayer Academy and Radcliffe College. She met and married Dick Fewkes when she was working for the UUA in their regional office in Brockton, MA. Ellie will be fondly remembered for her dedicated work as a loving teacher in both the Nursery School and Sunday School at the First Parish Church in Norwell, MA. She was an active member of the Women’s Alliance and for many years hosted the Sewing and Handcraft Group for the Annual Harvest Fair. When Dick and Ellie left Norwell in 2000 she was presented with a quilt dedicated to the “First Lady of First Parish 1969-2000.” That quilt comforted her for the rest of her life. She is survived by her husband, her sister and brother-in-law, two sons, a daughter, their spouses and eight grandchildren.

The Rev. Leon C. Fay, 89, died ca. 2002. He earned his AB and STB degrees at Tufts. He served churches in East Bridgewater and West Bridgewater, MA; Scituate, MA; Nashua, NH; Albuquerque, NM; and Cape Town, South Africa. He also served as director of the Department of Ministry at the UUA.