[Dialogue] Celebrating the Completed Life of Fred Haman

[Randy Williams]

In celebration of his unique and unrepeatable life, here’s an episode Fred and I shared once upon a time:

Working out of the Brussels Nexus in 1970 something, Fred and I were assigned to go to Rome for a few days work with the Rome House. As was usual, we took the train from Brussels to Paris and went across the city to another “gare” to catch an overnight couchette to Rome, arriving in Rome at about 7:30 a.m. Many will remember that a “couchette” was a regular coach compartment during the day, but in the evening the seats were folded to create 6 stacked bunks, 3 on each side of the compartment.

We modest Americans usually took our shoes off and slept in our clothes, but many of the Europeans and others would change into night clothes before retiring. This particular evening there was an older Italian gentleman who withdrew to the lavatory, changed into his flannel pajamas, and returned to bid us all a good night.  However, on the top bunk  across from the bunks Fred and I were occupying, was an attractive young French woman who decided to undress and put on her nightie, right there in front of God and everybody. (Fred and I were among “everybody.”) I’m quite sure that both of us did our best to avert our eyes, more-or-less successfully.

We managed a night of relative rest and when we awoke the next morning, to our relief, the young woman was already dressed for the day. For whatever reason, she struck up an conversation with us, during which we learned that she lived in Rome. We never knew what prompted her to do so, but as we were pulling into the station in Rome, she extended an invitation to the two of us to come to go home with her for breakfast. I recall clearly, Fred and I did a double-take, and after a reassuring glance at each other that conveyed “no way!”, we graciously declined her invitation as we made our way off the train and  to our first appointment of the day. 

I had not seen Fred in years, but I miss him just knowing he is no longer physically among us. May he rest in the peace he so well deserves.

Randy

Sent from Mail for Windows 10

From: Lynda C via Dialogue
Sent: Tuesday, July 2, 2019 1:18 PM
To: OE List; ICA Dialogue List
Cc: Lynda C
Subject: [Dialogue] Celebrating the Completed Life of Fred Haman

I had a note on messenger from Lori Haman Nash that Fred had passed this past weekend.    Fred was part of the Chicago Religious House with us in Fifth City many years ago.  (Jeremiah was in kindergarten or lst grade, so about 1983.)  I recall that he was involved with a Lutheran congregation at that time and also trying to keep us all healthy with Shaklee vitamins which helped supplement his income.  He also was part of the staff of Fifth City Business Careers as it started up.  Fred’s gentle manner and hearty chuckle comes to mind as I remember him.  

Lori wrote the following in response to some of my questions:

My daughter's and I were able to drive up from Texas to be with Dad and Juli for almost a week before he passed. He made it there days past his 89th birthday. It was a full life. I still love in Texas, but he was in Colorado with my sister, Juli, talking care of him the last four years. We are going to have a memorial service in Houston but are still trying to iron out the details. His obituary is now posted at https://www.monarchsociety.com/obituary/frederick-haman-jr

Our deep care to Doug, Julie and Lori who were all part of our Phase I programs.  Journey on, dear colleague,    

Lynda and John Cock






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