Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
FUNERAL HOME
Reed Fromer Obituary
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Reed Fromer
Sponsored by MarinIJ.com.
The Chew family
July 17, 2023
I am so very grateful that all 6 of my children were blessed to have had Mr.Fromer as their music teacher at SG
He was absolutely amazing!
Not only was he a wonderful, unique and enthusiastic teacher, but also a genuinely talented, kind, and loving person
I´m pretty sure that I was moved to tears more than once by a song or performance by his SG students
My kids truly adored him
They were so excited to tell me that "we were singing do-wop in Mr.Fromer´s class today...and I didn´t even need the lyrics!"
As he well knew...music can be very emotional, and he shared his love of music so passionately with everyone
I admire the way he somehow got even the shyest child to eagerly participate and embrace their part (silly as it may have been wholeheartedly
He included each of his students, regardless and was always interested to hear their thoughts and ideas
I will always appreciate the influence his music and his teaching has had on my family and the SG community
Although many of us are overwhelmed with sadness now...I know that those who loved him will someday find a smile when remembering him!
You will be missed dearly, and always remembered fondly
Bob Martin
July 16, 2023
Was honored to assist Reed on this project, where he kept the pandemic at bay and music in the hearts of his SG students. Godspeed to a unique and talented man. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCSt5kMaRwE
Lowell Widmer
July 15, 2023
I was heartbroken to learn just this evening of Reed's passing. I met a woman Lisa who had been a student in Miss Abram's kindergarten class and she mentioned that she thought Dave's son had passed.
I send heartfelt condolences to Dave, Jacki, Rachel and Gina whom I've not yet met.
I knew Reed as an eight or nine-year-old (in fact I have a tape of Rita's song or poem for his 9th birthday), and I knew him as a force of nature -- forcefully and dynamically expressing himself thru his God-given musical talents. Reed was our guest at a family friend's cabin at Pinecrest, and I have a tape of him performing several ballads for the company at hand. We also used to enjoy tossing the frisbee back and forth, counting to see how high we could get without a miss. He once told me that he enjoyed our time together and would have preferred it even to spending time with Abraham Lincoln, haha.
I am heartened to know that Reed touched many lives and that we will continue to keep his memory alive in our hearts.
Love,
Lowell
Wendy Woo
July 15, 2023
We are so heartbroken by the news. Dalton and Peyton´s favorite class by far was music class. And that´s because of Mr. Fromer. The boys would come home singing his songs and telling the jokes that he shared. From some of the on-line classes during Zoom, I was also able to experience the beauty of his teaching. It´s no wonder why his music class was their favorite. He had a gift of touching children´s lives through music and that will forever live on. Heaven gained another angel. We look forward to meeting again when through heaven´s gates. Sending so much love to the family.
Love, Dalton, Peyton, Wendy and Richard
Sarah Bennett
July 14, 2023
I am sorry that we will be unable to attend Mr Fromer's celebration of life because my son really adored him -and misses him greatly already. Mr Fromer gave him encouragement and a love for music. We have all been singing " Let my Love Open the Door" nonstop ever since seeing his arrangement of at at St Gabriels . We are grateful for all he shared , and hope his family finds joy and comfort in these treasured memories too.
-Sarah Bennett and Brian and Seamus Stannard
Zhanna Toensing
July 14, 2023
Reed was an amazing music teacher who inspired his students to sing with passion and joy. It was a pleasure to get to know him as a colleague as well. He put a lot of love into his work, and he will be truly missed. That heavenly choir just got a beautiful addition. Love and hugs, from the Toensing Family
Erin Vitali
July 14, 2023
Mr. Fromer will be greatly missed. My son absolutely adored him and always spoke so highly of Mr. Fromer. We will never forget the Covid Fridays where Mr. Fromer would teach the kids a fun creative story and new songs. My younger daughter would sit in for these special classes too. Thank you Mr. Fromer for teaching Frankie all of your favorite songs. You will always have a social place in all of our hearts.
Love, The Vitali Family
Olga Bourlin
July 13, 2023
I went to high school with Reed's uncle, Jon Fromer. When Jon passed away in January 2013, I remember thinking there were very few people in my life who've inspired me to become better - a better human being - every day. Jon did that for me, and with his passing Reed is now doing that for me. Reed was uniquely remarkable, and I've not met a kinder person. Dave and Jackie Fromer, so sorry for the loss of your wonderful son, a friend and teacher cherished by so many. My deep condolences to Reed's beloved wife, Dr. Gina Fromer, and to the children and grandchildren. Reed was one of a kind - inimitable and so treasured by those of us whose lives he touched.
Kathleen White
July 12, 2023
Dear Gina and Family, Sending love from the White Family to you at this time of loss. We so enjoyed his music classes at St. Gabriel School, and during the "Zoom School Year" I got to observe him teaching in Kindergarten and the third grade. Ryan describes him as," Kind, loved teaching us about music, and funny". Maeven said, " He was a really good music teacher!" We all observed his enthusiasm and expertise. He will be missed at St. Gabriel. We were all lucky to have experienced his teaching! Kathleen White ( Nana)
Rosemary Ishii MacConnell
July 12, 2023
Dear Fromer Family and Friends,
It has been some time since I last saw Reed, but I have many fond memories of caroling with Dave and Reed, also hearing him play on the main stage for many years at the Mill Valley Fall Arts Festival. His love of music and his many contributions will continue to echo through the valley in and our hearts. Rosemary Ishii MacConnell
Esther Wanning
July 12, 2023
I was stunned to learn of Reed's death. So lovable, so many lives he touched, so much happiness he sparked, a great soul. My deep condolences to all his family.
Mary Ann King
July 10, 2023
Dear Dave and Jackie just heard you lost your special son Reed thru Brian Narelle.
My heart goes out to both you. It
Is not the natural order of like to lose your child. I will never forget the kindness you gave to the Kings when John was ill. You started a good thing this generation of Kings are running down the soccer fields of Marin.
Love and gratitude
MaryAnn King
Philip Novak
July 9, 2023
My aching heart reaches out to Jacki, Dave, Gina and to all those who knew, and could not help but love, our amazing, wonderful Reed.
The last time I saw Reed was at Dave and Jacki's house where he was teaching a roomful of us how to sing three-part harmonies. The time before that was when Reed graciously agreed to have the Reed Fromer Band play at a party my wife and I threw around 2012. We had concocted a ridiculously ideal playlist and, by God, Reed and the Band delivered beyond all expectation. (I attach a photo -- sorry about the quality-- of the thrill of singing back up for Reed that night, an unplanned, one-song (Gimme Some Lovin') lark with a colleague of mine.)
Of course Reed always delivered, as any of you who heard Reed perform knew well. Man that guy could sing! ! One night, somewhere in Mill Valley, he sang Stevie Wonder's Ribbon in the Sky so beautifully I just stood there crying.
But I hadn't originally met Reed via music. He was one of my students at Dominican (where I taught for 40 years). We became friends. I came to parties at Jacki's and Dave's place which, no surprise, tended to culminate in music performed by the partiers! At one of them I met Rita (Abrams). I never told her this, but 15 years earlier this Chicago boy could barely imagine the sweet and wonderful Mill Valley she was singing about. But sometimes the magic works, and in the intervening years I somehow landed not only in California -- the promised land to a Chicagoan like me -- but smack dab in Mill Valley itself. And there I was one night, singing up a storm next to Reed and Rita and so many others.
Later, when Gina enrolled at Dominican (and found her way into my World's Religions class) I got to meet her, too! Naturally, when Reed and Gina married and became a large family, I saw Reed less over recent years. I didn't know about his illness until today, and my wife and I left Marin in 2020 to retire to southern Cal.
I'm sorry to say that I can't be with you all on July 16. I share the sting of grief over Reed's departure. I also share the happiness that flows through me whenever I think of him. Phil Novak and Bridgett Novak
Rita Abrams
July 9, 2023
Dearest Reed, loving and remembering you with endless amazement at your incredible qualities and achievements.
Dn Marty
July 8, 2023
Reed's love of music was inspiring and so vast and beautiful! I always enjoyed seeing him perform with his band and his musical direction and leading the choir at church. He loved music and was a master musician!!! He will be missed but our loss is heaven's gain as now God has a new and fantastic uber soulful pianist, vocalist! How lucky for them!!! Dn. Marty
Showing 1 - 17 of 17 results
Make a Donation
in Reed Fromer's name
Memorial Events
for Reed Fromer
How to support Reed's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor Reed Fromer's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
