E.K. Fretwell Jr.

I was unaware that EK and Dorry passed away recently. As I read all these comments I am truly impressed. My late husband Leonard Tynan Reed was E.K.'s room mate at Wesleyan University class of 1944. They were members in the Sigma Chi Fraternity. He was 5'3" and often talked about EK and their times in undergraduate school.
My belated condolences are sent to his children.

Peggy Reed

I am a graduate of Buffalo State College receiving my degree in 1974. Due to my involvement in student government, I had an opportunity to meet and work with Dr. Fretwell. I have always regarded him as one of the finest people I have ever met. And I am extremely fortunate to have met him. During the turbulent times in the late 1960s and early 1970s, Dr. Fretwell taught all of us how we should act and treat those with whom we might agree. If you know Dr. Fretwell, you will also know that it is...

Dr. Fretwell was larger than life. He was a caring man. I am better for knowing and working with him.

I had the good fortune to work with Dr. Fretwell when he was the interim President at the University of Massachusetts. I was on the Board of Trustees during his one year tenure, and the University was better for the relationship, brief as it was. He was one of those people who couldn't help but look up to - in every sense of the word! I am saddened to learn of his passing, but seeing his obituary made me remember him fondly.

I met E.K. some twenty years ago when we both served as consultants on a national committee. He subsequently took an interest in my career, and he became a wise and available mentor to me. He understood the challenges that I faced as the first African American president of two historically white universities. I took great comfort in knowing that he was among my trusted colleagues during my investiture at Eastern Illinois University, which happened to be his mother's alma mater. What a...

Dear Barbara, Peggy, Jim, and Katie -
Our lives and work at UNC Charlotte have been shaped and formed in remarkable ways by the inspirational leadership and friendship of E.K. and Dorrie. We are so grateful. We send our deepest sympathy and affirm that in the words of the Psalmist, you have a "goodly heritage."

Sincere condolences to the family!
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.

Dear Family,
Please accept my condolences.As you are well aware, your Dad was a very special person who make everyone around him feel special. He made the Freshmen feel like they were immediately part of the UNCC family. He was a swell boss to Adjuncts as well as faculty and staff.
Nancy Bowen Wiggins

Dear Family,

E.K. and Dorrie were dear friends, beginning with our time together at Buffalo State. Certainly, they nourished me with their caring, loving ways, and E.K. gave me many opportunities to grow in my administrative capacity, eventually to become a president and chancellor, modeling my career after his.

He and Dorrie will always be treasured for all they mean to me. Know that I hold you all in my heart of hearts, as I hold them both, always.

I am sorry for your...