Frederick Best

Coming back to read these comments makes me feel a little sad yet I smile at the same time because Fred was such a great guy. I always loved seeing him at a Rutgers XC practice or local NJ races. I can still see that huge smile spreading across his face when he saw someone he knew.

Earth lie lightly. Fred was the salt of the earth. Great friend and training partner. We went at it in training and I was a better runner for it.

I only yesterday learned of Fred's passing, and was deeply saddened when I heard it. At the same time, though, it jarred loose a very nice memory. The first time I met Fred Best was in the '70s, at a 10K road race in which we were both competing. The only things I'd heard about him were "nice guy" and "good Master's runner." I didn't know how good, however, until, with maybe a mile to go, he pulled away from me, and there was nothing I could do about it. After the race, I was leaning...

Ellis and I have treasured our friendship with Sunny and Fred for many years. I first met Fred when I entered Kindergarten and he was in first grade in Watchung NJ and then met Sunny in second grade. We all went on to the same high school, then we were off to college and marriage and raising a family. We were happy to reconnect in Westfield where we both raised our families. Fred was always a special, caring person, always thinking of others and always lending a helping hand to his...

Fred and Sunny were delightful additions to our church family when they lived in Newport. Very kind and loving as well as fun! We grieved their moving away from our area. Blessings and love to you, Sunny, as you mourn Fred’s death. He was a solid human being. ‘

Fred and i went hammer and tongs many a Saturday morning for years. 10 miles at 5.30-5,40. And yes that was the pace- Fred was a 70 miles a week guy but all quality. Spent a lot of time socially with Fred and Happy. A man without pretension, a regular mensch. Life is a strange trip, one day u are doing 6 x 1 mile in Tamequas park in 4.55 with 3m rest and then u can't do a mile in 12m. Earth lie lightly over a dear friend.

I met Fred at some of the summer road races in New Jersey back in the mid to late 1960s. He was always competitive and a gracious person after the race, regardless of who won or lost. It was a pleasure to see him at the races. My fondest memory was the long post race conversation we had after the NJ State AAU Cross Country championships in 1967 at Rider. You are loved and missed, Fred.

I met Fred at Rutgers. I got to work with Merle in my career a couple of times. What a lovely family and couple. Fred will be missed. My condolences to Merle and all who loved him.

Fred was such an influence on my life and we had SO many great runs together. RiP my friend