A friend of mine (Fred Leonhardt) unexpectedly died Saturday of a heart attack. Wow! I just talked to Fred a week or so ago and he was laughing and as full of life as ever. He was just 65 years old and from all appearances looked fit.
Fred was on more boards than anyone I ever encountered and it was something to see him work a room. He introduced my son and me to numerous people throughout the state and helped us to grow the corporate side of our business at Honey Lake enormously.
I remember we went to the Council of 100 one time and a tour to a health research facility was arranged. It was one of those hoity-toity affairs and boring as all get out, with speaker after dreary speaker droning away through the night. Suddenly my cell phone began to vibrate and Fred had sent me a text that read, “You hair looks really nice tonight”. I looked at Fred who was cracking up and I broke out laughing so loud that all of the stuffy folks at my table were frowning at me. We talked about that incident just last week and once again laughed like schoolkids.
Aside from his willingness to help with any opportunity I remember Fred for always having that warming smile on his face. In fact I don’t think I ever saw him when he wasn’t smiling.
He read my book and gave away many copies to his friends and read this post often. So now the veil has been lifted and Fred has seen God. I realize I still have work to do, but I can’t help but be somewhat envious and look forward to that day with great anticipation. And while we grieve for this good man, we celebrate his new life. Just imagine what it is like to be surrounded by the glory of God when you arrive in your eternal home
RIP my good friend RIP.
Ecclesiastes 7:1
A good name is better than precious ointment, and the day of death than the day of birth.
October 12, 2015 – Click here to listen