You can also the obituary from the Claremont Courier here:
Christopher Alan Freeberg died peacefully at home on July 29, 2015 after a valiant 10-month battle with lung cancer. He was 64.
He was born to Johanna (Sohn) Freeberg and Wayne Freeberg in Flint, Michigan on February 6,1951. In 1961, the Freeberg family moved from
Michigan to California. After high school, Mr. Freeberg attended Grinnell College in Iowa, then earned a master’s degree in social work from UC Santa Cruz.
Music was an important part of Mr. Freeberg’s life. He sang and played guitar, and enjoyed hosting parties where he jammed with local musicians. In 1990,
he met his future wife, Kate O’Malley, at the Claremont Folk Festival—she was performing with a band and he was in the sound booth. The couple enjoyed
traveling, taking many road trips through the western United States and camping whenever they found the time. “We enjoyed each other’s company. I always said I won the husband lottery,” Ms. O’Malley said.
Chris considered himself to have had two primary occupations in his life. The first was his position as associate dean of students at Pitzer College, where he worked for 23 years. He influenced many students in this position, and heard from many alums who kept in touch. When he said he worked at Pitzer, people would often ask him what he taught. “He said he taught life,” Ms. O’Malley said.
Mr. Freeberg was also a river rafting guide, a role he enjoyed for 15 years. He discovered his passion for the water sport early on. He embarked on an annual rafting trip for 37 years, rowing his way through spectacular locales like the Colorado River. After they met, Ms. O’Malley joined Chris on many adventures. “He liked the challenge and the peace,” she shared.
His enjoyment of the outdoors extended to the greens. While he referred to himself as “a duffer,” he played a pretty good game of golf. Other favorite activities included riding his bike around Claremont and hanging out and drinking coffee at Some Crust Bakery. He also liked to exercise his mind, reading
“everything he could get his hands on.”
Mr. Freeberg was known for his sunny disposition, his great sense of humor, his warm hugs and his casual way, which was exemplified by his footwear. He
rarely wore shoes, instead preferring flip-flops. He loved and was dearly loved by his friends and family.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Kate O’Malley; his father Wayne; his brother Tom; his sister-in-law Sally; his nephew Jon and his niece Morgan. He also
leaves grandsons Eli (son of Zack and Vanessa Hurtado) and Liam (son of Josh and Heather Hurtado).
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Chris Freeberg’s name to the Inland Valley Hope Partners, 1753 N. Park Ave., Pomona, CA 91768.
Chris Freeberg
Debbie, thank you for sharing the information about Chris. I did not know Chris well, but I always liked and respected him. He was very thoughtful and had a quiet intelligence. I remember that when he did speak, I listened, and there was always a lot of wisdom in his words.
I learned around the time of the last reunion that he had been taken away from us too soon, and in additioned to being saddened by his loss I was curious about his life after high school. The obituary you provided answers a lot of those questions and contains a lot of interesting information about Chris and his life. The link to the post by the Pritzker Dean provides even more insight. I especially enjoyed reading the posts that accompanied that link from those who knew and admired him. The tributes he received were many and wonderful. They show that his was a life well-lived, and that he was an incredibly positive influence on so many people.
Thank you again for sharing this information about Chris, I was pleased to learn that he had such a good and fulfilling life.
Debbie, thank you for sharing the information about Chris. I did not know Chris well, but I always liked and respected him. He was very thoughtful and had a quiet intelligence. I remember that when he did speak, I listened, and there was always a lot of wisdom in his words.
I learned around the time of the last reunion that he had been taken away from us too soon, and in additioned to being saddened by his loss I was curious about his life after high school. The obituary you provided answers a lot of those questions and contains a lot of interesting information about Chris and his life. The link to the post by the Pritzker Dean provides even more insight. I especially enjoyed reading the posts that accompanied that link from those who knew and admired him. The tributes he received were many and wonderful. They show that his was a life well-lived, and that he was an incredibly positive influence on so many people.
Thank you again for sharing this information about Chris, I was pleased to learn that he had such a good and fulfilling life.
Thanks to both of you - Deb and Wayne - for posting about Chris. He was one of the first guys I met when my family moved to La Mirada the summer before 7th grade. We became close friends quickly, especially since he lived just around the corner, and stayed that way all through high school. He was the one who encouraged (badgered?) me into going out for the water polo and swimming teams, and am very glad I did. Lot of great memories there.
I had the pleasure and privilege of being at Chris' first wedding...to Jane Howe from De Witt, Iowa...in Santa Cruz. What was memorable about the day, other than the pre-wedding roller coaster ride, was the temperature; 103. It never gets that hot in Santa Cruz. Years later when my wife and I were living in New Jersey across the river from Philadelphia, we'd drive up to New York once or twice a year to visit Jane and her dad who would be on a buying trip for her dad's clothing store. Jane has since relocated to Costa Rica, and we stay in touch occasionally via FB. I miss the guy alot.
Dear Debbie, Thank you so much for posting about Chris. I had heard that he had passed away, but my rumor mill said he died in his 20's. I am happy to know that wasn't true and that he had a good life. Chris sat in front of me in English class so that is how I got to know him. I have happy memories of English 1 and 2 because we spent so much time talking and laughing. I had it made. Chris sat in front of me and Wayne G. sat behind me. I was a happy girl when we were seated alphabetically. Freeberg, Goettsch, and Grajewski. ♡
Debbie Anderson (Soloway)
Chris passed away July 29, 2015 of lung cancer. He had been a much-loved member of Pitzer College, one of the Pomona Colleges. I've provided a link to the posting by the dean of Pitzer here: https://www.facebook.com/PitzerCollege/photos/a.254632754670393.68004.165237206943282/741153792684951/
You can also the obituary from the Claremont Courier here:
Christopher Alan Freeberg died peacefully at home on July 29, 2015 after a valiant 10-month battle with lung cancer. He was 64.
He was born to Johanna (Sohn) Freeberg and Wayne Freeberg in Flint, Michigan on February 6,1951. In 1961, the Freeberg family moved from
Michigan to California. After high school, Mr. Freeberg attended Grinnell College in Iowa, then earned a master’s degree in social work from UC Santa Cruz.
Music was an important part of Mr. Freeberg’s life. He sang and played guitar, and enjoyed hosting parties where he jammed with local musicians. In 1990,
he met his future wife, Kate O’Malley, at the Claremont Folk Festival—she was performing with a band and he was in the sound booth. The couple enjoyed
traveling, taking many road trips through the western United States and camping whenever they found the time. “We enjoyed each other’s company. I always said I won the husband lottery,” Ms. O’Malley said.
Chris considered himself to have had two primary occupations in his life. The first was his position as associate dean of students at Pitzer College, where he worked for 23 years. He influenced many students in this position, and heard from many alums who kept in touch. When he said he worked at Pitzer, people would often ask him what he taught. “He said he taught life,” Ms. O’Malley said.
Mr. Freeberg was also a river rafting guide, a role he enjoyed for 15 years. He discovered his passion for the water sport early on. He embarked on an annual rafting trip for 37 years, rowing his way through spectacular locales like the Colorado River. After they met, Ms. O’Malley joined Chris on many adventures. “He liked the challenge and the peace,” she shared.
His enjoyment of the outdoors extended to the greens. While he referred to himself as “a duffer,” he played a pretty good game of golf. Other favorite activities included riding his bike around Claremont and hanging out and drinking coffee at Some Crust Bakery. He also liked to exercise his mind, reading
“everything he could get his hands on.”
Mr. Freeberg was known for his sunny disposition, his great sense of humor, his warm hugs and his casual way, which was exemplified by his footwear. He
rarely wore shoes, instead preferring flip-flops. He loved and was dearly loved by his friends and family.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Kate O’Malley; his father Wayne; his brother Tom; his sister-in-law Sally; his nephew Jon and his niece Morgan. He also
leaves grandsons Eli (son of Zack and Vanessa Hurtado) and Liam (son of Josh and Heather Hurtado).
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Chris Freeberg’s name to the Inland Valley Hope Partners, 1753 N. Park Ave., Pomona, CA 91768.
Chris Freeberg
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Wayne Grajewski
Debbie, thank you for sharing the information about Chris. I did not know Chris well, but I always liked and respected him. He was very thoughtful and had a quiet intelligence. I remember that when he did speak, I listened, and there was always a lot of wisdom in his words.
I learned around the time of the last reunion that he had been taken away from us too soon, and in additioned to being saddened by his loss I was curious about his life after high school. The obituary you provided answers a lot of those questions and contains a lot of interesting information about Chris and his life. The link to the post by the Pritzker Dean provides even more insight. I especially enjoyed reading the posts that accompanied that link from those who knew and admired him. The tributes he received were many and wonderful. They show that his was a life well-lived, and that he was an incredibly positive influence on so many people.
Thank you again for sharing this information about Chris, I was pleased to learn that he had such a good and fulfilling life.
Wayne
Wayne Grajewski
Debbie, thank you for sharing the information about Chris. I did not know Chris well, but I always liked and respected him. He was very thoughtful and had a quiet intelligence. I remember that when he did speak, I listened, and there was always a lot of wisdom in his words.
I learned around the time of the last reunion that he had been taken away from us too soon, and in additioned to being saddened by his loss I was curious about his life after high school. The obituary you provided answers a lot of those questions and contains a lot of interesting information about Chris and his life. The link to the post by the Pritzker Dean provides even more insight. I especially enjoyed reading the posts that accompanied that link from those who knew and admired him. The tributes he received were many and wonderful. They show that his was a life well-lived, and that he was an incredibly positive influence on so many people.
Thank you again for sharing this information about Chris, I was pleased to learn that he had such a good and fulfilling life.
Wayne
David Kearns (Bratton-Kearns)
Thanks to both of you - Deb and Wayne - for posting about Chris. He was one of the first guys I met when my family moved to La Mirada the summer before 7th grade. We became close friends quickly, especially since he lived just around the corner, and stayed that way all through high school. He was the one who encouraged (badgered?) me into going out for the water polo and swimming teams, and am very glad I did. Lot of great memories there.
I had the pleasure and privilege of being at Chris' first wedding...to Jane Howe from De Witt, Iowa...in Santa Cruz. What was memorable about the day, other than the pre-wedding roller coaster ride, was the temperature; 103. It never gets that hot in Santa Cruz. Years later when my wife and I were living in New Jersey across the river from Philadelphia, we'd drive up to New York once or twice a year to visit Jane and her dad who would be on a buying trip for her dad's clothing store. Jane has since relocated to Costa Rica, and we stay in touch occasionally via FB. I miss the guy alot.
Kathy Goettsch (Baker)
Dear Debbie,Thank you so much for posting about Chris.
I had heard that he had passed away, but my rumor mill said he died in his 20's.
I am happy to know that wasn't true and that he had a good life.
Chris sat in front of me in English class so that is how I got to know him. I have happy memories of English 1 and 2 because we spent so much time talking and laughing.
I had it made. Chris sat in front of me and Wayne G. sat behind me. I was a happy girl when we were seated alphabetically.
Freeberg, Goettsch, and Grajewski. ♡