Today is a day like no other day. This is true not because of our being in a new war. This is true not because of some great advance in technology, or other worldwide event. This is true because we are gathering to mourn the passing of a dear and gentle friend. We are gathering to mourn the passing of Alan Fried.
Alan was unique. He was an optimist in the face of pessimism. Alan was slow to anger. He was slow even to frustration. Alan cared about everyone. Every person who worked in the School of Journalism and Mass Communications was his colleague. He bore no class distinction between faculty and staff. He cared about details as small as what books we were reading. He took the time to say thank you. He made us all feel appreciated. He helped try to foster a sense of family within our school. He is deeply missed.
This last winter I went on a Larry McMurtry reading binge. Alan would share his love for reading with me. He was even so interested as to read one book after I finished it. He would always smile, say hi, ask us how we were. Coming from Alan you knew it was not a mere salutation. Coming from Alan you knew it was an expression of genuine concern. He cared.
Alan was a genuine good man in a world where good men are a precious commodity. Alan was, and still is, a role model. We are all richer for having known Alan Fried. We are all poorer for his passing from us.
8:44:43 AM 
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